Observations – Arctic Valley Backcountry

Signs of instability:

• None

Weather:

• Cloudy with flurries and more consistent snow at times, but still very light
• Moderate SE wind
• Temps in the upper teens

Surface Conditions:

• Mostly soft but supportable crusts on NW Gordon Lyon (harder, scratchier crusts on south side of ridgeline)
• Small pockets of icier crust and raised anti-tracks

Discussion:

Snowpack profiled and assessed in the start zone of the skier’s right bowl off the summit of Gordon Lyon’s NW aspect (location of 1/16/14 human triggered avalanche – common skier’s right path above lower terrain trap):