Training Log Archive: revy

Cold and clear today so a trip to the pass seemed like a good plan. Steve joined Courtney and I. No firm plan but Avalanche Crest came up as an option and since it was in the sun and I had never skied it it seemed like an interesting option. Uptrack was a bit meandering with intermittent super steep bits. I broke a few hundred vert of new trail once we were out in the open. Decided to do a short lap in the upper bowl. Snow quality felt good but a few hasty pits I dug showed there was a sun crust about 40-50 cm down so there was certainly a sliding layer. Top snow didn't seem to have much cohesion however as we climbed we conciously decided to avoid crossing a steeper slope that faced a little more south. As I climbed the alternative way the snow felt good and then suddenly I could feel the sun crust underneath so I decided to swtich direction. As I turned I felt a little settlement and next thing we know we see the snow sliding down the slope we had decided against crossing (a aways away from us). So remote trigger from 50 m away, 20cm crown, 100m wide, 100m long. Interesting to see, glad I wasn't knocked over by it (not enough snow to bury anyone), reassured that my decision making was sound.

You can see in the picture the slide on the left. Settlement happened on the upper switchback.

We skied down on some more mellow slopes and didn't have any further issues. We then climbed back up to the ridge and looked down at the 1200m of fall line descending we had to do to make it back to the car. At least a dozen tracks before us but still lots of fresh turns to be had. Nice line - a bit challenging in spots - had to pick our way through a couple cliff bands. Courtney did not enjoy that part - type 2 fun:)

C • Sounds like a fun day 9