Wheaton Valley - Mt. Anderson

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Wheaton Valley - Mt. Anderson

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Mellow slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Convex slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Warm
  • Windy
Avalanche conditions
  • Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Comments

Travelled up to 1450m elevation along the slopes to the south of Mt Anderson. Well preserved low density snow at treeline and below (depths up to 50cm) but wind affect on all aspects above 1300m in the alpine. The alpine snowpack is thin and shallow and ranges from 60-110 cm depending on extent of wind loading. Dug a pit on a NE facing slope at 1450m: easy shears in the upper pack on crust/facet interfaces down 25 and down 60. CT3(SC) @ 60cm was the most pronounced result. Basal facets exist at a thickness of approximately 10cm but the failures are all occurring in the middle/upper layers. Beautiful day to be out walking in the mountains. The skiing, not so much...