Snowing 1 - 2 cm/hr all day today at the Gorge in the Monashees between Revelstoke and Sicamous. Snowpack depth at 6000 ft is 2.5 to 3 meters, temperature –5 deg C. 10 - 15 cm of storm snow is sluffing fast in steep terrain on a very thin temperature crust. With good sluff management and group management we avoided being pushed into tree wells or over the numerous small rock outcroppings in the area, and avoided cutting sluffs onto each other. The crust was evident above our high mark of 6200 feet, on all aspects. Resistant planar hard shears down 30 cm and 60 cm. We could feel the crust on our shins on each run, but it did not detract from the consistently excellent ski quality.
The road is currently being plowed, and using a radio to call your location and avoid being run off the road by a loaded logging truck is required. The road frequency is 153.320 (both transmit and receive).
A stop at The Burner Pub in Malakwa is recommended (it is a cultural experience).
Another great day in this great winter!
Jordy Shepherd
Mountain Guide