A recent Mountain Conditions Report on Prospector Bowl at Whitewater:
Yesterday I skied into the Prospector's area of Whitewaters's 'slackcountry'. The most notable feature is the shallow showpack, just over 100cm at 2100m. A hasty pit revealed two crusts. The early November crust is about 40cm from the ground. The other is about 40cm above that. These layers seemed to be well bonded, the upper crust having the weaker bond.
I didn't see much in the way of wind loading. I managed to knock off some small pillows of soft wind slab in a few places along the ridge, but felt they weren't too serious. I'd suspect these pillows could be more significant in areas that saw more wind or where the terrain concentrated the wind.
The ski run down was pretty good, nice powder sitting on a strong crust. The November crust is keeping the skis off the rocks. I had to watch out for numerous partly buried trees, stumps and rocks, typical hazards for this time of the season.
Play safe out there.
Craig Hollinger,
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide.
