Quick report
We toured up the south face of Tamarack and dropped into Proletariat around 2:30pm. On the way out of Proletariat we observed a natural wind slab avalanche that appeared to be caused by a large cornice failure a day or two before. The upper part of the debris field had filled in with newly blown-in snow from the ridgetop. We also observed other natural cornice failures in Proletariat and Hourglass, without propagation. As of 2/22 blowing snow and wind-affected conditions are still widespread in the area, making skiing variable except on sheltered N/NE facing aspects. We did not observe any cracking or whumpfing during the day.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- NC
- Elevation
- 9600 ft
Wind slab avalanche that appeared to be triggered by a large cornice fall. While the debris field looked recent, continuing blowing snow had filled in much of the top, making it difficult to judge the exact dimensions of the crown. Did not seem to involve the Feb 10 weak layer, but the crown was largely obscured by newly blown-in snow from the ridgetop.