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.