Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 37°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 91 m
- Weak Layer
- Ground Interface
- Trigger Type
- Snowmobiler
- Vertical Fall
- 91 m
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 152 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northwest
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2926 m
Super close call involving a small crew of sledders
On my field day near Wolf Creek Pass I ran into a small posse of local skiers and we spun a lap in Neeley Bowl, cognizant of the hazard and super conservative with our terrain choices. On the opposite side of the bowl and well out of harms way, we witnessed two riders pull the trigger and climb the slope without incident... the vibe absolutely changed from treading lightly to get after it, I wasn't psyched, and decided to call it a day.
After I left, two riders returned to the slope and triggered this very large, meaty pocket while climbing the slope. I had just popped back over the ridge and got back to my rig when my phone blew up with the deets.
Ahhh sorry, not sorry guys... super poor decision making given the avy hazard and recent string of near misses, close calls, and accidents. Given all the safe riding today this was a poor call and you were deep in the avalanche dragons den. If you're thinking this kind of roll-of-the dice snowpack analysis of todays hazard is solid decision making, you're not going to be in this game for the long haul. I'm stoked for your families that I'm not writing up an accident report explaining how a beautiful day of powder riding could end with you not coming through the door at the end of the day to give 'em a big hug.