Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 9 m
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 15 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3231 m
We traveled up Grizzly Gulch to Patsey Marley at about 5pm. Topping out Patsey Marley, we observed significant wind loading below the cornices and experienced some cracking as we broke trail. We were interested in taking a further look at windloading on the northern aspects in the Wolverine Cirque. We traversed along the Cirque, peaking over the edge when the cornices allowed us to do so. On top Tips & Tails, we could see the chute was obviously windloaded at the top (pillowed and significantly deeper than other observed storm totals). There were also many overhanging cornices above the chute. I stomped on a cornice on the right side about 3 times and a child-sized block of snow released suprisingly easily. The cornice fall triggered an avalanche about 30' wide (all the way across the chute) and 6-8" deep. The avalanche slid quickly across the bed surface and over the cliff bands on the right side of the chute.