Went around the Spearhead Traverse yesterday (Friday 13th Feb.).
Avalanches: Numerous small size 1 loose avalanches observed in steep terrain all aspects within recent storm snow. Also evidence of an old large cycle.
Crevasses: Still many exposed holes and the odd thin bridge on the regular travel routes required some careful route finding in places. We also rappelled off the rock band south of Overlord to avoid crevasses.
Snow conditions: Height of snow probed on glaciers ranged from 120cm on the west aspect of Iago Glacier to over 200cm on most other glaciers. Good trail breaking on 20cm of recent low density storm snow over a crust. This storm snow had seen little wind affect. Great skiing all aspects except for steep solar where a sun crust had formed. Ski crampons were not required.
Singing Pass trail was fast and icy. Be particularly cautious after the slump where there are two nasty ditches (both marked with flagging tape on the alders).
Weather: Thin scattered skies with increasing cloudiness. Cold temps, -11 degrees at the bottom of Benvolio Glacier at 2:15pm. Light winds.
Alex Geary
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
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