Quick report
Pockets of wind loading were observed on the way up, and we had concerns about potential for wet avalanches on sun exposed aspects. Storm slab was not noted as a concern because the amount of new snow was relatively modest. Travel was on the cautious side as we sought to avoid areas that were wind loaded as well as sun-exposed aspects. There were 1-2 instances during the climb where new snow slid off of the crust beneath while sidehilling. Overall stability seemed moderate. The slope we chose to descend was not sun exposed and showed no signs of wind loading. No indications of instability during initial portion of the descent prior to the avalanche. Pockets of wind loading on east aspects as well as natural avalanches from prior days observed on south aspects.
Weather
- Air Temp
- High 30's
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 10-15
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Warm and sunny spring day with 10-15cm of new snow that was fairly wet and heavy.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1.5
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 8075 ft
Storm slab avalanche failing on breakable crust. 10-15cm deep, 10-20m wide, and ran for ~100m. Triggered by first skier in the group to descend. Skier was caught and carried but was not buried and was not injured.