On February 26 five of us enjoyed surprisingly calm and sunny conditions to ascend Mt Field in Yoho. This is definitely a classic Rockies ski tour. Highly recommended. A well placed uptrack took us to treeline by ascending in mature forest on far climbers left of the avalanche tracks. We examined the alpine snowpack before committing to the summit headwall. We easily observed the January 17 surface hoar layer down 80 cms. We did not get a result in an extended column compression test. However, the layer slid clean on a shovel shear. On top of this layer is a 50cm soft slab formed in the mid February storm. The layer was not reactive here, but was pause for thought and will be a layer that commands attention for some time. No other signs of instability throughout the day and calm weather pushed us onwards to the summit. The skiing back to the road was an awesome 1400m powder run. All talk on the daffy and backscratcher – no action.
Shaun Fluker, Paul O’Brien Kelly, Dan Doll, Ivars Finvers, and Kelsey Hutchinson
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