Yesterday's weather report called for more idiosyncrasy: temperatures in the 40's with gale force winds. The best option seemed to be a sunny snowfield on the leeward side of some big cliffs - a great recipe for early spring skiing. On my usual route up an old rock slide path, I was surprised halfway up by 100 yards of quite fresh debris.
The snow was about the heaviest, wettest glop that I've experienced in a long time. In the shade, it was setting into even heavier glop. It seemed like the only way to make a turn was in the air. I hate jump turns....
In the sun, it was possible to push the snow around enough to make more legitimate turns. All in all a superb day.
The debris in the gully was not from avalanche activity, but from icefall like this. The pieces would hit the snow, start rolling, and turn into enlarging snowballs like the ones you'd see on Saturday morning cartoons. Some of them were quite large. I was always watching and planning an escape route.
After some rain this afternoon it sounds like more snow is on the way in the mountains. A little more winter would be nice.
Spring Skiing - 03-07-12
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