Shady aspects harbor weak, faceted surface snow (near surface facets or surface hoar) above Thanksgiving rain crust. Sunny aspects are a mix bag of more consolidated surface snow and melt-freeze surface crust. Isolated pockets of loose dry sluffs with ski turns on NW to E aspects. Evidence of natural loose dry avalanches on near by slopes.
Toured up towards the Marion Creek trailhead from Essex. Left grooming and skinned to Marion Lake. Ascended a south aspect and gained the ridge. Climbed to a prominant high point in the terrain above Dickey Creek. Descended in the same general direction and aspect to Marion Lake. Skied/ hiked to the valley floor and exited via Essex.
