Quick report
Snow was not wind affected and showed no reactivity or firm slab so I was somewhat surprised by this one behaving as a slab avalanche especially for how thin the fresh snow was. I kicked off a few slow wet sluffs in places but they did not propagate or go very far. Fresh snow was not particularly well bonded, skinning up the steep upper face was difficult and it was easier to just boot up given the fully supportive crust.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1
- Aspect
- SW
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 5300 ft
Recent snow failed in a sudden slab release as I turned into it at about 5300ft on what I'd estimate to be a 40+ degree slope. Only about 3" deep but the snow was pretty heavy from sun. No risk of burial but could definitely catch and cause injury. I was able to turn back through the falling snow and ski out the edge as I was falling over.