Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 61 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Vertical Fall
- 686 m
- Avalanche Type
- Cornice Fall
- Slab Thickness
- 107 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- East
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3292 m
This avalanche was an unintentionally triggered cornice fall that then triggered the persistent weak layer (PWL) facets (dry snow) near the ground on a very steep (greater than 40 °) hanging snowfield. This was a repeater avalanche. What was interesting is that the hanging snowfield was all faceted snow that failed near the ground, but the runout zone and the rest of the bowl which had slid a number of times earlier this season only entrained the surface snow on it's way down slope. We had discussed cornice hazard as one of our problems for today, and had mentioned staying back from the ridge to be safe. While we were transitioning from skins to skiing, this avalanche was triggered by one of our party members putting the tail of their ski into the slope on the backside of the cornice. This is what triggered a massive collapse and the subsequent avalanche. Best guess on dimensions, 3'-4' deep x 200' wide running between 2,300' and 2,400' vertical feet.