March 3-7, 2011, Brian Waddington Hut

ACC-Vancouver mini ski camp at the Brian Waddington Memorial Hut in Phelix Creek drainage. 5 days of bottomless powder, heavy trailbreaking and Considerable avy danger for all three zones.

A huge storm just before the start of the trip dumped quite a bit of snow resulting in High to Considerable avalanche ratings. The forecast for Thursday, Friday and Saturday was Considerable for all three zones so some people dropped out but in the end 9 people made it to the famously stove-free hut.

Stability turned out to be rather good with one exception of an individual hitting a sweet spot in a windslab just at the treeline resulting in tumble in size 1.5 avy. Nothing lost or broken just few bruises. Otherwise we diligently ski-cut everything we skied and nothing went. Some sluffing on steeper runs.

Skiing was awesome and got even better when the sun came out.

Hut is in good shape. Heaters don't work. Creek was completely covered but massive 7.5 (wo)manhour effort resulted in a 3 m waterhole with a deluxe staircase. According to the logbook the hut saw only 2 visitors in February.

Slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/runningclouds/sets/72157626239914250/