Stanley Mitchell approach

We dug a test pit on a west aspect slope approx 30 degree angle next to the trail. 1800m elevation. Test result, CTH 23. 20 cm down. Snow depth 85 to 95 cm on top of Boulders. As we were exiting the valley, approx 20 min after pit dig, and 100m along the trail, avalanche occurred . We were quiet on the way and spread out. Trail is on the east side of this valley, with the avalanche falling off the west side slopes. We noticed the weather had started to change. We stopped for lunch 12:30 pm, approx -5c, wind gusts (10 km / hr from the south) and clouds formed , partial obscuring the sun. At 1.00pm, sun mostly obscured, wind steady at 10 km/hr . Test pit dug. At time of avalanche, sun re-emeged. Wind picked up to approx 20 km/hr. Avalanche start zone @top of peak, dropped vertically and engaged more snow on the small landings below the start zone. Wind speed at the mouth of valley steady at 25 to 30 km/hr approx 2 pm. Key take aways. When the hazard is high, pick a wider valley. Changing weather can trigger Avalanche activity. More space between people is critical. While we had no intention of skiing any slope with the Hazard rating at Considerable, consideration of overhead becomes more relevant.