Spearhead Glacier - Vista - Decker Lake tour

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Spearhead Glacier - Vista - Decker Lake tour

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Mellow slopes
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
  • Sunny
  • Warm

Comments

Quick tour - East Col to Spearhead Glacier, Vista Bowl, Decker Lake and then out to Circle Lake and exited via Body Bag. Pretty consistent wind effect with breakable crust to various degrees on all aspects. North facing runs on Spearhead Glacier were the worst for crust (horrible to 'sporty' riding), Vista was better (ok to tolerable, and moved quickly due to forecasted temp rises), Body Bag skied the best after the sun warmed it up. Temps didn't go as high as forecasted due to early day cloud cover - no signs of new avalanches or cornice failures. Warming effects more evident upon our return inbounds - when we took a break at Circle Lake, even in direct sun, I was throwing on extra layers.