Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 46 m
- Weak Layer
- Density Change
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 46 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2804 m
Our party travelled up Millcreek hoping to find lower snow totals and lighter winds. On our way to Toots we realized a lot of snow was transporting through the Yellow Jacket Aspens with strong West winds. Before getting to our line we assumed we would be bailing to low angle trees.
We observed natural cornice activity but were surprised the slope was intact still. We found a nice test slope above a bench far skiers left to see how the new snow was settling. A small cornice triggered a 4-6 inch wind slab that broke a deeper slab which propagated across the entire slope. When the slab broke it entrained a lot of new snow with an impressive powder cloud reaching the flats of Alexander Basin. The connectivity was quite shocking, this was forecast moderate terrain but acted like high danger.
SS-AC-D2.5-R3-I