Pretty good travel from 93N up to SW ridge of Observation Sub peak with ski crampons in use till it gets kinda climby on the upper ridge. Still a somewhat unpleasant mix of facetted snow and crusts on the ridge crest to the summit. Fat cornice on the summit, we entered just north of the summit about 50m down the ridge. Rather poor ski conditions as a bit of recent snow had been beat up by strong North winds so it was a thin grabby layer on a hard crust. We climbed back up to the col just East of the peak and skied down that big south facing basin. Slightly better skiing but it still needs another couple of days of sun to become real corn skiing.

No real avalanche concerns in the AM except cornices.

We did see very fresh Grizzly tracks just below treeline on the way up the SW ridge and on the way down the drainage to the south. It was heading SSE at that elevation for at least 1 km. and looked to be moving slowly/taking short steps. Maybe out for a first walk in the sun? No food at that elevation and the wind was at its back so it probably wasn't following its nose to groceries.

The spring rack-Beacon, probe, shovel, crampons and bear spray.

Larry Stanier
Mountain Guide