Columbia Icefield Area

Good riding out there on March 11 with ~30cms of dry powder sitting over a somewhat supportive midpack. Temp was -4C at treeline with light winds out of the SW. Snow had no wind affect even at ridgetop. We rode South and Southeast aspects up to 2500m.

Two size 2-2.5 remote triggered from flat bench above. Slides initiated right below ridgecrest on a 35 degree slope and ran up to 100m into 20 degree terrain. Failure plane was likely depth hoar 3-5mm above weak November crust and entraining the remainder of the faceted snowpack to ground.

Several moderate-hard sudden collapse results within depth hoar layer above deteriorating, 1cm thick November crust. Depth of failures was 120cm.