Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 30 m
- Weak Layer
- New Snow/Old Snow Interface
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 23 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- New Snow
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2804 m
Skied some moderately bold lines and experienced a few minor sluffs but triggered a significant wind slab late in the day on a short (~250 vert ft) steep (42 deg?) slope well below the ridge line and well sheltered by surrounding trees. Crown was 8-12 inches deep. The surprising aspect was that it broke as a slab over a much bigger than expected area, entrained a lot more snow than expected, and ran fast through some trees that could have caused injuries. The debris was not deep enough to completely bury a person, Skiing fast with an exit strategy is not a reliable way to stay safe but worked today. No harm done but this was embarrassing and sobering. Adding another 18+ inches of snow on top of that slab would have been much different and more serious story.