04 Jan 2012 - face shots

I lost count of the face shots today, not that I count. Incredible ski quality in low density dry powder and a nice stormy environment. Very magical stuff that you don't forget easily. Same terrain, same line as yesterday. Top to bottom not one other track (though I did see two other groups of people). Every turn was breaking across my chest, every other turn went up my nose. 30cm deeper and it would have been mostly over head. Visibility was not so good and it was snowing hard at times

Today probably delivered 50cm new snow at 1500m at the Otari end of the valley. Based on my very limited range of travel between 1200m and 1500m, and limited observations, overall stability on the NE aspect was ok on 30-35 degree forested terrain, though there is a shear in the storm snow down about 15-20cm. That is pretty normal. Small 40-45 degree test slopes produced fast moving loose snow avalanches (sluff). I traversed a long steep face with confidence down at 1400m and only saw minor cracking. Overall this snow has come down nicely in protected areas. Solar aspects now have a sun crust down about 60cm at 1200m (more by tomorrow). I wouldn't be rushing any steep terrain above treeline right now, though I have a pretty active sense of self preservation.

Bonus photo today.