Let’s Split – Trip 3, Guthega. Playing it safe Due To Avalanche Activity

September 3rd, 2019

 

Mountainwatch | Amine Yasmine

There is no doubt that the calendar week of August 11-18 saw more avalanche activity in Australia than we are all accustomed to seeing (or even hearing about) during our domestic Winters.  And despite having to postpone our overnight Let’s Split Trip 3 to Guthega (August 17-18), the Let’s Split staff crew decided to head out with Backcountry Guide Kyle Boys (from Alpine Access Australia). We wanted to see if they could get a handle on how settled the fresh snow was, and to possibly identify any persistent weak layers in the snowpack from the heavy snowfalls the week prior – which would have resulted in some of the well-publicised avalanches on the NSW Main Range.

 

Creek crossing on a crisp winter’s morning. Photo: Ian Cook @i.b.c.visions

The day started at 9am at Guthega car park, where we all assembled and talked about our objectives.  The group comprised of Amine Yasmine, Flynn Medson, Ian Cook, Jakob Kennedy, Kyle Boys and Lachlan Anderson. To ensure group safety, it was determined that we would find a similar aspect on the Guthega Trig to the aspect that we had seen release on the Etheridge Ridge earlier in the week. See below pic from Alpine Access Australia – which for Australian standards, was a large avalanche.

 

The Etheridge slide that happened in early August. Photo: Alpine Access Australia

 

Digging the pit to check snow pack after a week which saw a number of avalanches in the Main Range. Photo: Ian Cook @i.b.c.visions

 

We toured out over the damn wall, up the Trig and into the alpine, where Kyle set up our first pit site. After digging the pit and conducting the appropriate tests, no evidence of the persistent weak layer (that would have resulted in the propagating slides during the week) was evident in that area.  It should be noted that this pit site was at a very similar elevation and orientation to the Etheridge Ridge avalanche.  So, we continued up higher and found another pit site to keep assessing conditions.  And again, after a thorough examination of the second pit site, no signs of major instability were evident in either the Compression Testing and Snow Temperature Gradient assessment – which are both greats signs that the snowpack was in fact stabilising and that any unstable layers in the snowpack were bonding, becoming safer for back country travel.

So, with this information in hand, the entire crew proceeded to lap some low angle and medium-low elevation terrain off Guthega Trig.  The turns were fun, the vibes were sky high, and we treated ourselves to an afternoon of high quality “hot pow’ as we like to call it.  Oh, and the constant sunshine was a welcomed addition.  We went for being doubtful about doing any riding, to riding some very fun low angle terrain with new and old friends.

 

After over 90cms of snow, the Main Range was looking good. Photo:@phootstepfilms

 

Amine slashing some slow angle powder in the sun. Photo: Ian Cook@i.b.c.visions

 

Even though the decision was made to cancel the overnight trip into the Main Range, there were some fun turns to be had outside of Guthega. Flynn Medson, carving the untouched snow. Photo: Ian Cook@i.b.c.visions

Many Thanks to Kyle boys from Alpine Access Australia for joining our Let’s Split recon mission, and for sharing his knowledge with us.   Next Stop …. Mt Bogong for Trip 4.  Here’s hoping we get some co-operative weather for this upcoming overnight splitboard trip.

See You Out There.
Amine Yasmine
Lets Split (Founder)

Video: Phootstep Films

 

Nothing like a wide open party lap. Photo:

 

Amine, slashing a fun roll-over. Photo: @i.b.c.visions

 

Flynn, buttering some pristine untracked snow. Photo Ian Cook @i.b.c.visions

 

The Let’s Split Kitchen. Photo @i.b.c.visions