Marmot

Toured up the West face/South ridge of Marmot starting around 3:30pm in the afternoon. Minor snow collapsing and one (very) small slab released were observed during the tour uphill (details in snowpack observation). Both skiers in the party were aware of the wet loose problem and made an effort to avoid skinning above terrain traps. Toured up to 4120' before changing over and beginning descent. Upon initial descent, skier 1 made a defensive ski cut across the west face, and triggered a small D1 slide in the process. The slide moved downhole at an extremely slow pace and gained some momentum as it traveled. Skier 2 had been watching from the ridge. Skier 1 traversed to a safe area on a spine, skier 1 and 2 then communicated plans via radio for skier 2 to make a similar ski cut across the face to join skier 1. After observing the small slide, skier 2 wanted to make sure to keep visual contact with skier 1, and felt the west face would still provide a safer descent than the more sun-exposed south facing slope. Skier 2 descended, making a similar ski cut and joined skier 1 on the spine. Some small wet loose (barely D1) snow slide down the debris path behind skier 2. Skier 1 and 2 then determined it would be best to make a sharp ski cut back across the west face of Marmot to traverse to the lower angle ridge on the S/W spine of marmot. The traverse was not ideal, but it was the best route to quickly get out of avalanche terrain. Skier 1 cut across the face while skier 2 watched, few releases during the traverse. Skier 2 then followed the same line across the face. During the traverse, the largest release of the day occurred behind skier 2, with a larger D2 wet slab breaking off and sliding downhill. Skier 2 was not caught and able to safely traverse to the ridge. The slide debris joined the same slide path as the smaller D1 slide that skier 1 initially triggered. Like the first slide, the D2 slide started very slow but gained momentum as it moved downhill. Not wanting to risk moving further into avalanche terrain, skiers did not evaluate the debris field up close but estimate the snow pile was 8-12in deep. Now on the further S/W facing ridge, Skier 1 and 2 descended one at a time to the lower angle slopes not in avalanche terrain. No instability was observed during this part of the decent and the snow quality was fair, albeit a bit wet and heavy. No further collapsing or slides occurred. Skier 1 and 2 skied back to the parking lot safely. Upon returning to the parking lot, skiers took photographs and discussed the situation and how it unfolded and what could be done better next time. Proper avalanche gear (beacons, probes, shovels, avy airbags) and radio communication devices were identified as key pieces of equipment that the skiers believed helped them mitigate the dangerous conditions encountered during the decent. Skiers were glad they stayed on lower angle terrain during the ascent and felt they made a good decision to quickly navigate back to the same ascent slope during the descent and get out of higher angle terrain as quickly as possible. The late-afternoon avalanche danger was much more concerning than anticipated. Would recommend skiing earlier during in the day before the snowpack has time to soften up and to stay out of avalanche terrain (especially above terrain traps) if possible, While touring uphill, snowpack appeared mostly stable. No recent avalanches observed. Both skiers in the party were aware of the wet loose problem and sought to stay out of exposed avalanche terrain above terrain traps. Snow collapsing was observed on the lower slopes of Marmot where skis would punch through the snow while touring. A small slab (2 sq feet) was released that slid approximately 1 ft while skier 1 (lead) was making a kickturn about 3/4 of the way up Marmot. D2 avalanche was released while skiing the west face of Marmot. No skiers were caught. Details below.

Marmot

Quick report

Weather

Snowpack