I spent the last 2 days skiing the backside of Flute and Oboe Mountain, camping at the Flute/Oboe Col.
Avalanche activity
1 natural size 1 slab observed near the Flute/Oboe Col., suspected to have run during the wind event Saturday morning, 1890m elevation, NE aspect, 20 to 40cm deep, 20m wide, 10m long, failed under a windrow. Closer inspection showed the slab had failed on 5mm surface hoar lying down at 40cm deep mixed with facets, possibly stepped down from a shear within the storm snow at 20cm deep (fracture line had been covered by blown snow). No other avalanche activity observed.
Snowpack
Variable snow surface from supportable windslab, to sun crust, to good skiing on creamy powder 5cm deep in sheltered areas. 185cm probed on the SE face of Flute at 2000m elevation.
Weather
Cold temps, overnight low -17, steady at -15 this morning. Wind on Saturday moderate from the SW, switching to light gusting moderate from the North this morning (Sunday).
Alex Geary
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
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