18 Jan - alpine, powdery

It isn't hard at the moment to ski good quality stable snow on untouched terrain above tree line in the backcountry. Today I toured with ACMG Mountain Guide Rich Marshal and his fit and motivated guests. Climbed from 800m to 2100m with three runs in the Junction/Obinata zone and some worthwhile vertical accumulated. It is perfect up there on all shaded aspects above about 1500m Good stability, great ski quality, great weather, easy movement along ridges compared to how things can be. To spend a day in my favourite zone, get it in great condition and have people to share it with rather than being alone makes it one of the best days of the season so far. South and east aspects are getting further cooked under the sun, with a crust forming as high as we went. The crust is thick on east aspects at 1200m. Some snow transport and probably windslab formation in the higher alpine. Some surface hoar about in isolated dips and groves near bushes. I also found surface hoar at valley bottom this morning.