Avalanche: Cardiff Bowl

We were on our second lap on the southeast facing aspect of Cardiff Bowl at about 10 AM. After observing other skiers cut a further traverse reaching onto the east facing aspects we decided to follow a higher traverse that would keep us closer to the ridge-line and hugging the rock outcrops. While breaking a new skin track along the ridgeline, I noted the increased depth of snow which signaled wind-loading to me. I discussed this shortly with the group and we decided to transition between in an area on the ridgeline tucked between two cliffs. There was a group of skiers below us who had dropped in behind us from the traverse and had cut below us at the concavity of the slope. During our transition we head the crown break and I witnessed the slide below us and slide toward the lower group. At that point I instructed our group to seek the fastest and safest way off the aspect in order to avoid hang-fire. Another group still on the ski-track going up Toledo kept eyes on the lower group and relayed to us that there ws no one caught.

After regrouping from a safe location, we conducted a beacon search while working in groups to stay safe. Afterwards, we noted the slide path and what looked like a remote trigger from the group below us. We concluded that the rock faces around us would have no permitted propagation from our location. After descending back to the vehicle we did a full debrief.