Just back from Fairy meadows. Extensive wind effect throughout the area. The Granite and Gothic glaciers were both very wind effected. Snow depth on glaciers where we traveled was between 240 and 300cm’s.
Evidence of a cycle the week before up to size 3.
We did not observe any new avalanches or have any whumphing or cracking during the week. Things seem solid up high due to the wind effect( very hard slab).
Things are different down in the trees with some great pow skiing, although at 2100m on a protected northerly aspect I dug and got a CTE-3 down 80cm on facets, sudden planar, shear quality( pop and drop). In the same place I did an extended column test and got a CTM-14 down 80cm’s, Sudden planar as well.
It left me feeling that any really good protected snow still deserves some serious respect.
Have fun and play safe.
Cheers
Todd Craig, MG