We skied Caribou Ridge in the west end of the Spillimachean Valley today. In the cut blocks the snowpack is very weak with only 110cm at 1800m. There is a very thick surface hoar layer down 60cm with 10-20mm crystals. The slab above this layer is stiff enough to allow for wide propagation(1F-4F). The basal snowpack layers are also very weak and facetted.
We experienced numerous very large whumphs on the surface hoar layer which formed shooting cracks at least 50m+ distance in the 25 degree cutblock. With an extended column test this slab above the surface hoar propagated across the 90cm block with a sudden planar result (ECTP 28 SP). Once we got into the trees the snowpack seemed better consolidated but we skied conservatively in open glades. The alpine looks like it has had quite a bit of wind in the last week.
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