mount washington / gulf of slides 3/28/15

[Farleyman]

Got a late start on the day, didn't park until about 1030 because we were coming over from Franconia. place was packed, couldn't find a spot in the main lot and had to park over across the foot bridge. seemed like everyone was going up to tucks so we decided to check out the gulf of slides trail. didn't see too much traffic on the way up, one skier and two snowboarders. the trail had good coverage and only took about 2 hours or so to skin up to the base of the slides, there were maybe a dozen people up there skiing the chute. we hiked up once and skied down, the snow was very firm but still fun if you had a good edge. I have some pictures coming shortly off my cell, will update once I have them. I would recommend this trail if tucks is very busy, the trail down is a fun shoot about 4 to 10 feet wide depending on where you are with some soft moguls and little jumps here and there. will definitely get better when the snow softens up but as of now you can ski right back to your car from the summit so I like it a little firm if I don't have to hike out!

 

[Farleyman]

 

[deadheadskier]

Any avis on Saturday? Apparently there we're 6 significant ones yesterday.

 

[Farleyman]

 

[Farleyman]

didnt see anything but we were up and down

 

[Funky_Catskills]

How were the avi conditions when you tested?

any suspect layers we should worry about..?

 

[Farleyman]

They looked fine when we were up there Saturday, apparently things changed drastically overnight and there were some big slides. When we got up there someone had dug a fresh pit and I didn't see anything too concerning, fresh snow could make that area sketchy because the current base is bullet proof


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[Funky_Catskills]

Using words like "looked" will get you killed...
Digging your own pit and investigating is the only way to really know..
Heuristic traps are the most dangerous...

Everyone please be careful...

 

[Funky_Catskills]

Heuristic Traps--A Conceptual Framework
http://www.summitpost.org/human-factors-in-avalanche-incidents/188636

 

[Farleyman]

I'm not an avi expert, I listen to the rangers and other experienced people on the mountain,so if they said its good, and it "looks good" to me I'm gonna ski it.


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[Funky_Catskills]

Cool... I wouldn't just rely on that.. It's a fluid situation.

My advice to anyone heading to GOS..
Take it or leave it - is to take an avi1 class at Pinkham Notch so you can make your own decisions. Because conditions are constantly changing.. AND use shovel probe and transceiver..

I was there a few days after 2 guys got taken out - the pits that they dug the bodies from were still there..
http://www.avalanche-center.org/Incidents/1995-96/19960324-NewHampshire.txt

http://www.mountwashingtonavalanche...ormed-decision-making-better-decision-making/