I was ski guiding at Trophy Mountain Chalet near Clearwater, BC with ski guide Terry Palechuk, January 10-13, on a Thompson Rivers University Adventure Tourism ski course.
We did not observe any new avalanches, but there had been a natural avalanche cycle at treeline and below treeline on the well preserved mid-December surface hoar size 5-15mm (down about 100 cm) during the big storm. It was reacting to tests in the hard range, with sudden planar and sudden collapse results.
We skied conservative terrain between 2200m and 1500m elevation. Excellent ski quality with the storm snow settling rapidly. Surprising that we did not experience a single whumph over the 4 days, despite travelling with a group size of 10 and the buried surface hoar being so well preserved.
We had generally clear skies with extensive valley fog, and treeline temperatures ranging from +2 to -8 C.
The latest surface hoar layer was still forming and growing (size 5 to 12+ mm) when we skied out on January 13th, and was noted on all aspects and right to ridgetop, something to watch for when the next storm rolls in. There was some light sun crust on steep solar aspects.
Some photos of our trip can be viewed in an album on the facebook link below.
Regards,
Jordy Shepherd
ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JordyCanmore
Twitter: @JordyCanmore