On Sunday the 6th we guided a party of 5 up Athabasca via the ramp route. We followed boot top tracks to the base of the Silverthorn. Across the ramp we probed well bonded consistent density snow. At the end of the traverse we found a pocket of windslab which we avoided by ascending directly to the flats above.

On the descent rapid snowfall began which had us reversing the ramp in up to a meter of heavy snow and considerable spindrift from the Silverthorn. We beat a hasty retreat.

Leaving the parking lot in the morning the ramp was obvious as a strip of snow surrounded by ice. By our return to the parking most of the mountain was covered in snow.

Ski conditions looked favourable and we noted no signs of instability in our day, though past conditions (obviously) may not reflect future stability.