Just in time for X mas - SOAP BOX
Finaly we get a good dump of snow in Kcountry with little to no wind Dec 18, and on the 19th we got a cold bluebird morning. Shawn and I elected to head out to superslope, the south face of tryst lake chutes.
Immediately upon leaving the truck I knew this was going to be a good day as the highway (skin track) that normally crosses the valley floor was totally blown over. We were the first ones in here on this storm, a rarity for this area. After crossing the clear cut regrowth and gaining the ridge we got our first glimpses of the alpine.
Its kind of hard to see the crown because it is barely above the shadow but it stretches all the way across the frame. Ranging in depth from 15cm on the left, stepping down to 60+ on the right. Debris reaching valley floor. This face is very prone to slide, and our approach bypasses the run out zone, just a good indicator that a heavy natural cycle has begun.
As we passed the tryst lake chutes it was hard not todo a lap through them, you almost never see these without tracks.
Upon further inspection ever chute had slid at some point in time the prior evening. Most only 10 - 15 cm of the storm slab but, those spines that looked so awesome were just covered with hang fire, and it was apparent that the sluff was running to valley floor.
As we turned the corner onto the south face off of the fist the sun slapped us in the face, and the commonwealth drainage opened up in front of us. We dug our pit, which confirmed that we shouldn't be riding anything steep, unsupported or open and proceeded with our merry run down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLAgRG_V1ik&feature=c4-overview&list=UUsOhAP3BtZGbjMcT6GSCmww
The snow is here in the rockies, just in time for christmas. Be safe out there, smart decsions in the next few days will be needed. Merry Christmas
