Small windslab release
White Pass West
MikeBrady , Monday 27th March, 2023 11:10AM
South aspect skiing in Taiya. North Wind did some work to snow on lee aspects. Wide variety of surfaces ranging from drifted lips 6inches high to crust to dry powder in wind deposited sheltered areas.
Small Size 0.5, skier triggered, 25 meters crown width, traveled 50m down slope, 30 degree aspect. 10-20cm depth on fresh wind slab. Skier attempted ski cut on an area where we had seen fresh formation of windslab on the skin up with minor cracking. Slope fractured 10 meters above rider in a shallow area with rocks visible above. Rider was initially knocked down, recovered to feet quickly amongst moving snow, and skied to safety. Did not show high potential to bury or injure the rider, nonetheless, moving snow is moving snow.
