Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Report

I leave today for Gulmarg, Kashmir, India. Chris Liebing will join me and we will meet up with our infamous guide John Falkiner.
I know it's cheesy, but I want to thank everyone who has helped me be able to do this. Jesse, my brother, for leading the way and his inspiration, Corinne, my wife, who's support is invaluable and Chris who's stoke for life and laugh create smiles and pleasure to so many people. And to everyone else who has helped me along the way, thank you!
See you on the 8th of Feb...
Josh

Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Report

Yesterday was a classic Verbier powder day. It only snowed about 15-20cm but the wind had filled in the narrows and the east facing slopes. We drew high speed GS turns from the Atlas couloirs to the North facing chutes of the Mont Gelee.

Avalanche Danger Scale
High Alpine	3–Moderate
Mid mountain	2–Moderate
Treeline	2 –Moderate

Current conditions:

“On Wednesday it was predominantly sunny. Midday temperatures at 2000 m were minus 4 degrees. Moderate northerly winds prevailed. The snow layering is generally favourable. The snowdrift accumulations from Tuesday of this week, are [slowly] consolidating.”

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm
Ø 2200m - 131 cm
Ø 2950m - 120 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are variable because the wind has been blowing a lot of snow around. There is more snow mid-mountain and in the trees. The west face of open areas and ridges has been buffed clean in most areas. As you approach the treeline it gets better. East facing couloirs and bowls is where it’s at, especially mid-mountain.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is decreasing but it’s still important to use extra caution because of the very bottom layer which never bonded solidly.

“The avalanche prone locations are found on steep slopes in all aspects. On the southern flank of the Alps the avalanche prone locations are found above approximately 2000 m. Avalanches can be triggered particularly by large additional loading in the uppermost snowdrift layers from this week. Prudent route planning is recommended.” Slf.ch

Forecast:

“On Thursday it will be generally sunny. In the course of the afternoon, cloudbanks will move in from the northwest. The midday temperature at 2000 m will be plus 2 degrees. Light to moderate southwesterly winds will prevail. On Friday it will be increasingly sunny… On Saturday it will be sunny and mild. The avalanche danger will continue to diminish, but very gradually.”


Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Condition Key

Extreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.

Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Report

It snowed today, so we skied the trees hunting for pockets of untouched pow. Tomorrow will be Sunny with a coat of 10 to 15 covering everything.

Avalanche Danger Scale
High Alpine	3 –Considerable
Mid mountain	3 –Considerable
Treeline	2 –Moderate

Current conditions

“Tuesday was very cloudy and it snowed. Since Monday night, the following amounts of snow have fallen: northern flank of the Eastern and Central Swiss Alps 20 to 30 cm or even more in some localities; northern flank of the Western Swiss Alps, Valais, the Gotthard region and from Surselva and northern Grisons to Samnaun 10 to 20 cm; in the remaining regions less than 10 cm. Midday temperatures at 2000 m were about minus 5 degrees in the north and 0 degrees in Ticino. The wind was strong, [with powerful gusts coming] from the northwest.” slf.ch
“In many places the conditions gave rise to fresh snow drift accumulations that are prone to triggering. The still loosely bonded old snow in particular was transported on the southern flank of the Alps and in Upper Engadine, and the fresh snow in particular in the north. The snowpack is weak especially in southern Upper Valais, northern and central Grisons, Engadine and Münstertal.” ‘…avalanches can be released in deeper layers of the snowpack.” slf.ch

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 129 cm

Ø 2950m - 115 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are variable because the wind has been blowing a lot of snow around. There is more snow mid-mountain. Up high it’s been buffed clean in some areas. As you approach the treeline it gets better and better. Especially, where the sun hasn’t affected the snow too much.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is still at 3 but in areas that have been skied and where the slope is less than 45 degrees it is reasonably safe.

Forecast:

“On Tuesday night the weather will clear. Wednesday will be mostly sunny. Midday temperatures at 2000 m will be about 0 degrees in the west and minus 4 degrees in the east. The northerly wind will ease to light to moderate in the morning.
Further snow drift accumulations that are prone to triggering will form during the night.”

“On Thursday the weather will be mostly sunny and mild. On Thursday night some snow will fall in the north. Friday will be increasingly sunny again in the north and mostly sunny in the south. In the north and south, the avalanche danger will decrease slowly. In the inneralpine regions it will not change significantly.” Slf.ch

Condition Key

Extreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.

Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Reports

This past week we went on the hunt for snow. On Saturday, we found ourselves in the depths of the Valais skiing waist deep pow in the tiniest of resorts. There was so much snow in the area that the road was closed. The next day we headed to Andermatt. The total snow accumulation was 70cm. It had been very windy so the conditions were funky. On some aspects the wind was so strong it had created a soft crust. Nonetheless we had a great time and skied in the area Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday we returned to ski in Verbier, the conditions were excellent with 15cm of light snow that had fallen over the weekend. The Reports however were pointing to a small resort west of here called Les Marecottes. There it had snowed 20cm and there was more snow on the way. When we got there Wednesday morning it was snowing very hard. We skied thigh deep powder through the trees all morning. In the afternoon it opened up briefly, treating us to spectacular views of the surrounding Alpine. At that point we decided to come back the next day to ski the open bowl that was closed. Thursday proved to be a beautiful day. We skied 40-60cm of perfect powder all morning. In the afternoon the sun affected the southern aspects but the trees and shaded areas were still excellent. Today it is a sunny day in Verbier.

Avalanche Danger Scale
High Alpine	3 –Considerable
Mid mountain	3 –Considerable
Treeline	2 –Moderate

Current conditions

During the last week it has snowed less than 10cm in Verbier. Light to moderate westerly winds prevailed on Thursday. Midday temperatures at 2000 m were about -5 degrees.
“The snow layering is unfavourable in the southern Upper Valais… the new snow and the snowdrift layers lie upon a faceted old snowpack with very weak consolidation. It continues to be possible to trigger avalanches in the old snowpack. On the southern flank of the Alps, the thick layers of new snow are consolidating incrementally. On the northern flank of the Alps there are in places still trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations near to the surface.” Slf.ch

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 129 cm

Ø 2950m - 110 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are wind driven powder up high, and progressively deeper as you ski further down. The northern aspects are slightly better because it’s colder. More snow seems to have deposited on the lee side of the slope where it was more sheltered from the wind.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is still at 3 but in areas that have been skied and where the slope is less than 45 degrees it is reasonably safe.

Forecast:

“By Friday midday on the northern flank of the Alps, 10 to 20 cm of new snow is expected, in the remaining regions, less than 10 cm. Subsequently it will turn partly sunny, before new cloudbanks move in from the west. Midday temperatures at 2000 m will be minus 1 degree in western regions and minus 5 degrees in eastern regions. Strong westerly to northwesterly winds will prevail.

During the day on Saturday as well as on Sunday it will be sunny in all regions and very mild. The freezing level will climb to 3000 m. Due to the significant rise in temperatures, the avalanche situation will remain delicate.”

Condition Key

Extreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.

Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Reports

Avalanche Danger Scale
High Alpine	3 –Considerable
Mid mountain	3 –Considerable
Treeline	2 –Moderate

Current conditions

Tuesday was a crystal clear sunny day . We skied wind compressed snow that was about 10cm deep. The mid-mountain north facing slopes were in the best shape. Although it was a great morning of off-piste skiing, there were wind slabs breaking off so we were very cautious. Below 1800m the skiing was treacherous due to the rain that had created a solid crust.

SLF says: "The westerly to southerly winds were light to moderate. The midday temperature at 2000 m was about minus 2 degrees. As the temperature dropped, the bonding of the snowpack improved at intermediate altitudes. The various layers of the snow drift accumulations that have formed in recent days are still prone to triggering in some places. The weak layers in the old snowpack remain treacherous, especially in areas with shallow snow cover and on slopes where little snow sport activity has taken place until the start of the year."

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 20 cm

Ø 2200m - 116 cm

Ø 2950m - 115 cm

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The avalanche rating is set at 3 so it is still advised to avoid skiing in areas that haven't been skied very much this year. The statement below is particularly true in Verbier...

"The avalanche prone locations are to be found, in particular, on west to north to south facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. On the northern flank of the Alps and in Valais and northern Ticino, they are to be found on steep slopes..." says SLF.com

Forecast:

Thursday should be mostly sunny with a consistent westerly wind. Warming up slightly, the freezing level will rise to about 2000 m. Friday it will snow a little down to 1600m. The avalanche danger will decrease slowly as the week unfolds.

Condition Key

Extreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.

Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

Important Notice:

Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Reports

Report valid: Monday, January 07, 2008 until further notice

Avalanche Danger Scale
High Alpine	3 –Considerable
Mid mountain	3 –Considerable
Treeline	2 –Moderate

Current conditions

In Verbier on Sunday it was overcast with snowfall starting at 11pm. Overnight 10 to 30 cm of new snow fell. Unfortunately, The snowfall level was relatively high at approximately 1700 m. Strong to stormy westerly to northwesterly winds prevailed at high altitudes during the night, slackening off somewhat the following day. Today it is raining up to about 2000m. We are anxiously waiting for the temperature to drop.

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 20 cm

Ø 2200m - 116 cm

Ø 2950m - 110 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are wind driven powder up high, changing to wet and rain crusted snow further down. The northern aspects are slightly better because it’s colder. More snow seems to have deposited on the lee side of the slope where it was more sheltered from the wind.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

For now it is wise to avoid traveling beyond the resort boundaries.

Forecast:

On Monday the snowfall level will descend to about 1100 m. At 2000m the midday temperature will be -2 degrees. Strong to stormy westerly to northwesterly winds will prevail at high altitudes.
New, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations are expected to form. The various layers of the snowpack are weakly bonded widespread.

Condition Key

Extreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.

Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

Important Notice:

Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch