Tipping Point!!

<p>Natural and human triggered avalanches in the #southrockies today! Though we couldn’t see into the alpine because of the storm, we could hear naturals off of nearby headwalls. Below treeline, cut banks were hair trigger. We were remote triggering small avalanches from our sled that were propagating across entire terrain features. The entire snowpack (80cm-100cm) was releasing to ground (facets over a crust). 

With that evidence, and bigger terrain ahead with more consequences if it avalanched, we decided to turn around and go home!!! We also got a photo from an observer north of Elkford. There had been some clearing, and there was widespread natural activity in alpine bowls there as well.</p>

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes, Sunny slopes, Convex slopes, Open trees.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Powder.

Weather Conditions

Stormy.