Crystal Visions: Anatomy of a Storm Chase

SaWeet

Watch this video on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/195230337

Good to see you doing your Avi test, see the snow saw for doing the block test right. Looks like there was some slab formation at that spot, also looks to be too low angle for danger, what did the block test tell you?  

Yeah, Seth is a super experienced, knowledgeable guy.  He said there were a few more tests we could do, but based on what he found he didn't need to.  I learned a lot, my own private avy course!  Non-reactive weak layer at 35 cm, TC 20 Q 3 with minor surface hoar.  So the weak layer is there, but no too troublesome.  Avalanche danger was rated High today as the NWAC has seen some persistent weak layer issues the past couple of days further north in the Cascades.  The slope at the pit was 29 degrees.  We kept it to 30 degree slopes.

Good for you man --- stoked it worked out for you

BTW, thanks for the pix

MAD PROPS DUDE!!  

JTG4eva! wrote

Yeah, Seth is a super experienced, knowledgeable guy.  He said there were a few more tests we could do, but based on what he found he didn't need to.  I learned a lot, my own private avy course!  Non-reactive weak layer at 35 cm, TC 20 Q 3 with minor surface hoar.  So the weak layer is there, but no too troublesome.  Avalanche danger was rated High today as the NWAC has seen some persistent weak layer issues the past couple of days further north in the Cascades.  The slope at the pit was 29 degrees.  We kept it to 30 degree slopes.

When avi danger is high - best to stay in low angle terrain or ski the resorts no matter what your tests tell you, a test is only as good as the spot you test. Low angle pow is great and you don't always have to be on edge.

Yeah, the skiing out on East Peak has some problem areas (like below Ted's Buttress) but there is plenty of mellow terrain and it was a ton of fun.  Only once did we have to briefly cross a slope closer to 35 degrees on a little rollover, and Seth ski cut the slope and then I followed.  Disappointingly , while we had untracked turns all day we did cross some other ski tracks.  Not many people out there, but enough to know it was being skied without sliding, some minor confirmation of Seth's assessment.

Seth was telling me stories about guys digging pits near wind loaded cornices or right by trees....areas that really won't give you an indication of what the condition on the open slope is.  You have to pick your spots carefully.  Shane is another guide for the same company and he was out in the same area with a group of 9.  They were more focused on a snow safety and companion rescue course, so they were digging pits as well.  Shane and Seth were in constant radio contact, see if their results confirmed.  Seth also spent a fair amount of time talking to the Snow Safety director with the Crystal Ski Patrol about assessments and risk before we went out.  There was enough info out there to make Seth comfortable going out even though NWAC had just changed the risk assessment to High.  Seth was skeptical they may have been overreacting due to the general lack of any activity, but he did find the weak layer!

Watch this video on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/195410149

Sticking to lower angle stuff on East Peak allowed Seth and I to ski a little more together, so it makes for (slighltly) better video than the typical boring POV with nothing in the shot GoPro video.  One of these days I'll develop some video editing skills and produce something more entertaining, but this will have to do for now.

JTG- Props!!

What a great thread, thanks for taking the time to put up the photos & videos!

It's gonna be hard skiing the bullet proof the NE serves up..

Chris wrote

JTG- Props!! What a great thread, thanks for taking the time to put up the photos & videos!

Agree!!

Crystal Backcountry - East Peak from Chris Kidd on Vimeo.

Know what?  After skiing powder all morning Saturday it was nice to hit a groomer back to the base for lunch, let the skis do a little more of the work.  Skiing powder is hard work and after spending time in lots of it I have a greater appreciation for a nice groomer!

I love butter soft groomers too..

great vid..8 mins flew by...your thighs must have been on fire..

Yes, hence the hip check! Here is what the powder was like in the steep in bounds trees. Reminded more of east coast skiing than anything else I saw out there. I was hoping to traverse along the Northway boundary over to Orgasm Meadows, but I think they had a rope up before Employee Housing, a steep avalanche path that requires avy work, so I think this is Left Angle Trees, 1,500 vertical of roughly 35 to 40 degrees trees. At 2 minutes in I stop to take some pictures. I put my 54 inch pole in the snow and it goes in a good 48. There is a ton of snow out there. At 7:10 I capture a good view of East Peak across the valley, which would turn out to be our backcountry destination the following day.

Crystal Mountain Left Angle Trees from Chris Kidd on Vimeo.

https://vimeo.com/195575594

I tried to embed, but it never works for me!

Here is another piece of video from East Peak, first run up until we stopped to dig that pit. If you get tired of watching this shit don't, I won't be offended!

CONTENTS DELETED