Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

Y-Chute Bloody Mountain:

We toured up to Bloody Mountain hoping to find some minimally wind-effected wintery snow in Y-chute given its NW tilt and protective high rock walls.

While the classic couloir of Bloody was a consideration, we quickly aborted once we saw the significant flagging from the SW winds in the morning and wind slabs at the entrance.

We toured up the large gentle NW bowl to gain the ridge. We found a mix of bomber wind scoured supportive snow (no ski pen) interspersed with 1F, non-reactive 5cm wind-slabs above fist-hard snow. As we gained the ridge, we crossed stable wind sculpted features, likely from changing wind directions.

The entrance to Y-chute was wind scoured, but edge-able windboard. Looking towards the Bloody Couloir, we observed scattered wind pillows, wind deposits above the entrance, and observed what appeared to some wind pillows throughout the couloir during the way up. We did not venture further to test reactivity.

Once we entered Y-chute, the snow was somewhat wind-effected moderate density wintery snow that skied excellent. Towards the exit at the apron the snow became more mixed with some grabby wind-effect, so the turns become a lot straighter.

Signs of Unstable Snow