Crags East Shoulder

Riding quality was:

OK

Snow conditions were:

• Crusty
• Heavy
• Powder
• Wet

We rode:

• Dense trees
• Mellow slopes
• Open trees

We stayed away from:

• Alpine slopes
• Convex slopes
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Cloudy
• Foggy
• Stormy
• Warm

Avalanche conditions

• Slab avalanches today or yesterday.
• Rapid temperature rise to near or above 0°C or wet surface snow.

Skied the east shoulder of the Crags today. Travelled on W/SW aspects from 1750 - 2100m. Temps were warmer than expected with -0.5c at the bottom of the drainage and -1.7c at ridge top. Light SW ridgetop wind.

Second day in a row here. Storm snow significantly more consolidated today than yesterday. This made for challenging trail breaking. Strong density change from top to bottom with some punching down into firm crust in dryer snow closer to ridgetop. Large downed trees (mostly covered) and multiple open creeks in the bottom of the drainage. Ride cautiously.

Observed multiple natural avalanches on isolated convexities. Blocks slid on isolation or with minimal pressure during hand shears. New snow = 18cms. Total = 215cms.

We rode mellow, well-supported slopes, avoided convexities and had no surprises.