Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
Upon reaching treeline at the South ridge line of Coon Basin, both skiers acknowledged a large amount of wind-scoured snow, active windy conditions and snow transport, and previously wind-drifted snow on all avalanche-prone slopes in Coon Basin, and the surrounding Red Lady and Wolverine basins. Despite no new snow in a handful of days, windy conditions were quite obvious and active. After dropping in to the main skiers right line, no previous collapses or cracking were observed. Our initial impression hinted at increasing snow pack stability with each passing day, keeping in mind the recent wind events, obvious scouring/drifting, and potential for wind-slab activity. Initially, skier 1 made about 3-4 turns at moderate speed and intensity, before quickly picking up and shedding speed on one very aggressive left turn in particular, which ultimately triggered the wind slab. After regrouping and picking our way down the path, we were aware of a likely step down onto the 12/25 crust layer in which the slab thickness increased to about 20 cm.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1.5 R1
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- E
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 11640 ft
Skier number 1 skied the top section of the far main skiers right chute in Coon Basin (wind-affected and obvious drifting were present). After a handful of turns and a steepened slope angle of around 38 degrees, one hard left turn triggered the slab with widespread cracking. Although the top section consisted of only a few inch thick wind slab, the avalanche further stepped down onto the Christmas crust layer slightly further down. The slope leveled off about 140 feet down from the trigger point just past a terrain choke where the slide came to rest.