Quick report
NE @8000’ R1D1 Unintentional Skier triggered hard slab avalanche. Failed at an old wind loaded, small isolated @45° feature. 4 to 20 inch crown @20’ wide ran for @300’ debris pile was about 75 feet long and about 50 feet wide, 3 feet deep. If caught and carried through the 1 inch to 4 inch diameter, sparse trees with some dishwasher size blocks injury would be likely. We had been encountering, generally very firm conditions with soft 3 inch settled snow in sheltered locations. We previously had a conversation about being aware of steep rocky cliff areas holding thinner snow, capped with slab, though this was a relatively deep pocket on steep right wall. I hate to say it, but I did not expect it at all. I immediately yelled avalanche as one of my partners and I had intentionally dropped into this small 300 foot long terrain feature the same time. As it cracked, I pointed diagonally left and skied out. Upon escaping and yelling, I immediately spotted my partner and recognized that the slide was isolated to the right side and he was luckily in no danger to my left. In hindsight, we found this to be a gift and reminder that when skiing complicated terrain in low danger, just stay curious and aware all the way to the very bottom of the line. We agreed it’s easy to let your guard down after skiing through the business or exposure higher on a line. Even if the hazard rating is low, and zero signs of instability were encountered prior.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1 R1
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 8000 ft
The avalanche occured on a very steep wind-loaded feature in rocky terrain.