Avalanche
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Avalanche Type
- Cornice Fall
- Start Zone Aspect
- East
- Avalanche Problem
- Cornice
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3170 m
This was a cornice fall that entrained new snow and created a D1 slide on the north end of cardiac ridge.
We set a skinner up CRR around 7:15 AM after adjusting plans due to high winds and low visibility. CRR was much more protected from high SSW winds that were ripping and transporting snow off the superior ridgeline. Regardless, as we neared the top of the the run, winds picked up and spindrift was visible above the cardiac ridgeline to the north. The cornices are overhanging, large, and hanging in the balance more than we expected.
Some 10-15 minutes after skinning beneath the cliffs, a 20-30 ft wide cornice released, sending consolidated blocks the size of ovens down the slope. It also entrained 8" of new snow and left a debris path that fanned out 50' in width in spots and ran 200' or so.
Even though we never encountered wind slabs, the cornices are growing and ready to pop in many locations given the massive snow year we've had with an abundance of wind as well. I'll be thinking a lot more about cornice hazard in the weeks to come. Glad we got to learn a free lesson today.