Avalanche

Avalanche: Meadows

JimmySalt Lake
View on map

Quick report

Slope Angle
38°

Avalanche

Slab Width
30 m
Trigger Type
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
30 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Southeast
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Start Zone Elevation
2743 m

Had a great morning of skiing in upper Meadows with no signs of instabilities and very little wind effect from yesterday's strong winds. On our exit, partner & I stopped before the steep roll below "Wheels Up", being this rolls to about 38 degrees. We were expecting this would slough if I skied it. Assessing it would probably be a manageable slough, I skied it and a few turns in, soft slab broke out much wider than I expected. Partner radioed me to cut left and I was able to ski off of it without incident. Had I stayed fall-line, it probably would have knocked me down and taken me for a ride, although a full burial would have been unlikely.

There was a defined crown about a foot deep, maybe 100' wide. Bed surface was a sun crust, which was not surprising given the aspect.

No pics as we were running late. My assessment was off and potentially dangerous. Lesson learned!