Bunch of us decided to put our freshly minted AST training into practice... at a location that actually needs to be bombed as part of the highway avalanche control program... hence the name Bombtram... according to Bivouac ... a recently dismantled unmanned tramway leading to the summit from which a munitions car would BC Peaks & Trails Hiking Groupdeposit bombs onto the snow and trigger avalanches without the need to endanger a human patroller.
Bushwhacking, scrambling, routefinding, steep snow travel, boot skiing, exposure, incredible scenery, loads of sun and fantastic people... an excellent day in the mountains.
Conditions: Super crust on alpine with some wind loaded and cross loaded accumulations of snow up to about 40cm... most of the snow has been scoured off by wind... we did not make the peak because of the sun affected (snowballs, rollerballs, sunwheels.. whatever you call them) steep slope of 40-50 degrees as you approach the plateau type area before your final hike to the peak itself.
Snowshoes not really required.. crust is solid enough to support me + pack = 210lbs... take an ice axe and crampons and micro-spikes for the lower snow slopes. Skiing conditions I would say would be terrible?... zero snow at lower elevations and only 5-10 cm over super crust in the alpine.
Have fun out there, stay safe and see you on the trails!
Regards, Rex.