Good example of considerable

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Heavy
• Powder
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Alpine slopes
• Mellow slopes
• Open trees

We stayed away from:

• Convex slopes
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Cloudy
• Sunny

Avalanche conditions

• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Set out for the day to do some tree skiing given the considerable hazard rating. Once we got around tree line, a ‘skintrack rutschblock’ (jumping on the slope after a kick turn switchback) produced shooting cracks and propagation on a N aspect. A short way below, hand shears around trees showed unconsolidated storm snow with no weak layer interface. This was a great example of how a small change in elevation and slope angle only 10-15m higher illustrated a much different snowpack and avy problem. We crested a ridge and had a short meandering descent to the start of our tree run. Along the way we ski cut a small test slope above inconsequential terrain which very easily triggered a small 0.5 or less sz slide. This was on a NNW aspect and a steep unsupported convex roll. This result would aid in our decision making process later in the day.

After skiing a wet heavy tree bombed run we decided to head for the high country - the undulating ridge toward Co-Pilot. Going up our intention was to ski the low angle ridge. When the sun popped out and lit up some tempting faces that looked very skiable and desirable we had a chat about going further and higher and skiing the same aspect from our ski cut avy earlier. One option was a convex roll below highest ridge top where we could see wind blowing from the South as forecasted. With a high potential for wind slabs at the top, a storm slab over the convex roll, and the run angle turning into a wide shallow gulley exposed to multiple steep slopes we decided to recognize the potential for falling into the ‘it’s sunny and beautiful’ heuristic trap, taking our own advice, and had a stellar run down the ridge we skied up.

Surprisingly good skiing with some great pow laps, and a good day for learning, experimenting, and applying knowledge gained to our terrain selection 💪🤓🙌