AAS/AAI Level 3 course collected observations in the Magnum ridgeline.
Route: Taylor Creek approach to NW ridge uptrack, PMS bowl and West face.
Weather: Temps teens to midtwenties. Sunshine felt warm. No wind. No precip.
Red flags:
Recent avalanches – no
Cracking – no
Collapsing – no
Surface conditions:
Good ski conditions overall (except low elevations with vegetation/alder/ice challenge).
10-20cm of soft new/decomposing snow along the route.
Up to 2500′ very stout crust below soft surface snow.
Snow observations:
We assessed stability above treeline very good. There were two layers of interest, but neither of
them were very reactive. Structure of the snowpack is suspect around the crust-facet sandwiches
in the 30-45 cm from the top.
We found two layers of interest on upper PMS bowl, including BSH from mid Dec that Fitz has been meticulously tracking. Test results were nominal, we skied the slope with good surface conditions
Snow pack on Magnum ridge is still shallow on northerly aspect, but cornices are approaching normal AK size despite the meager snow season so far.