Size 3 on London Ridge

johngrahamkelly , Friday 27th December, 2024 6:15PM

While ascending the south aspect of London Ridge, the sun was much stronger and persistent than forecast. We gained the ridge at 2070m behind a group 8. Snow on the ridge did not show signs of instability as we ascended to 2170m. We then heard a subtle, swift rumble despite being so close as it moved fast. Once we put eyes on it the powder cloud was big far down slope and debris beginning to slow to a stop. The party above said to have remotely triggered the slide at 2220m. We then discovered we were less than 2m way from an ~1m crown which was released sympathetically along the north aspect of the bowl. Lots of hang-fire was present and significant cracks were now found on either side of the ridge skin track. We were in a predicament of not willing to drop down onto the steep sun soaked south aspect where we were and had to navigate staying as removed as possible from the hang-fired ridge flanking the north. The group of 8 came down to our location along the ridge flanking the south aspect while both parties navigated the lowest risk routes possible back the way we came while avoiding skiing on top of each party. Avalanche photos range between 1:30-1:42pm Last two photos showing the slope and ridge track before the slide, 1:26-1:28pm Note: Run out length is stated as 1000m though it could not be determined how much further it ran as the terrain did not permit a sight line. Run out length was greater than 1km.