Today we decided to check out the drier part of the range and skied up Steep Creek drainage towards 007 ridge. 20cm new roadside at the summit near Cayoosh parking lot while Steep Creek parking lot received about 3cm and 12cm at treeline.

Travel conditions were very pleasant up the road and decent in the clearcut but as soon as you are in the old growth at 1700m there is only 30cm of coverage with plenty of obstacles to step over. Fortunately it is only a short 150m to the hanging valley where it opens up with 60-70cm at treeline. Skiing in the bowl was boot top dry cold powder. Sharks to watch out for lurking just below the surface with an inconsistent snowpack ranging 50cm -120cm in the alpine.

There is a surface hoar layer down 12-15cm which gave several settlement (whumps) and propagating across planer features. No real concern at this time but could be a potential layer to look for once there is a bit more load and slab properties. This layer was buried Nov 23rd. When I was in Merriot basin on Sunday I observed the surface hoar below treeline however didn't see any evidence in the alpine.

Overall, decent early season conditions on the Duffy.