Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 6 m
- Weak Layer
- Depth Hoar
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 36 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Sympathetic Release
- Start Zone Aspect
- North
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3261 m
As one of my partners reached a hand up to the ridgeline from his stance on the south side, he triggered a 2" slab of fresh snow that stepped down to rocks a few feet behind him.
Snow structure along both N and S aspects of Superior E ridge is weak. In some places the existing snowpack is +2 ft of well-developed facets. In other places those facets are capped with both old and new wind slabs. Older slabs were only reactive in the most extreme terrain today, though I would expect an avalanche cycle in areas like the one we were in today if this week's forecasted snow manifests.