Last winter threw a huge curveball to enthusiasts in India. Snow cover was lacking across the western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Lahaul, throughout January. This situation caused despair not only among the riding community but also impacted the local agro economy. Many villages rely on healthy snow cover for their water supply and agriculture.
It was only in early February that the region received its first proper snowfall of the season.
However, avalanche conditions remained precarious, especially in the high hills of Lahaul. Remnants of late November and early December snow had formed a thin layer that had severely decomposed into large facets.
The snowfall in early February wasn't enough to mitigate much of the avalanche hazard, particularly on the lee side of the Pir Panjal range. The weather-facing side of the Pir Panjals, like upper Kullu, began healing much faster.
What the natural avalanche cycle didn’t achieve, warm temperatures did.
As we moved into early to late Feb, the warm temperatures helped consolidate and bond the snowpack. Very little natural avalanche activity was observed.
This trend extended to the Pir Panjals by mid to late February. The avid snowboard and ski community of locals in Himachal, along with a few visitors from abroad, began a long spell of free touring in lahaul.
Covering various zones, they started their adventures in the Tinan Valley, moved towards the Ghar Valley, and finally wrapped up with extensive skiing across the meadows of Yoche Village in the Todh Valley. Groups made multiple trips, and everyone eventually rode to their heart's content. _____________________________________________________
Take by @flaming_footsteps who is raising the photog bar with the new @googlepixel.
Seen in the foreground on her @jonessnowboards Split is @julienne.rathore. Who is one of the few who arguably got the most turns this season in the high backcountry here. Not merely coz she rides like a fish finning in water (highest turns per feet of vert) but also as she was one of the most active riders in the scene here this past winter.
In the backdrop: @thakurgarvit24 on the split with @1tenzinbodh0 and @climbersunil on skis.
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