Planic Attack. Deciding What's Best for Ski Touring?

WHEN PLAN A BECOMES PLAN D

So what was the plan for at present’s ski tour? Would there nonetheless be powder greater up on north-facing slopes? Ought to we head the place they’d had extra snow however the place there have been experiences of it turning heavy fairly rapidly? The forecast was for solar however was there sufficient freeze/thaw for spring snow?

Final evening, Gav, just like the snow within the valley, was having a soften down. Or a planic assault, attempting to determine on the plan to ski tour for one of the best snow right now of yr and following a really diversified winter snow season. Who knew how good the circumstances could be for a descent of round 700m?

So Plan A was discarded, changed by Plan B after which again to Plan A. In the meantime I used to be having planxiety, fearing that snow circumstances may very well be testing wherever we went. Within the van on our strategy to the chosen vacation spot (Plan B), truthfully, if Gav talked about the potential for crust as soon as extra I used to be going to get out and stroll residence.

For Plan B to work, Gav determined we must always depart with our powderhound, Ullr, round half an hour later than regular for this time of yr, at 09.30, as he reckoned that the powder could be remodeling to that creamy texture that is nearly nearly as good as pow. This meant that our traditional parking area was already rammed by the point we arrived so Plan B grew to become Plan C with a distinct place to begin and a extra southerly side that appeared, within the day’s colder temperatures, prefer it might have the dreaded crust.

Plan C changed into Plan D for the ascent as Gav determined to climb as much as the ridge with a powerful view, picture above, on the north-facing facet which appeared to be holding the chilly powder. 

And, consequence! It was fairly cool powder all the way in which down till the final 100m descent the place, miraculously, the crust had melted and changed into spring snow.

Do not you adore it when a plan comes collectively?