Quick report
Made some laps on marmot today to enjoy the fresh snow. The first ridge just past the skin track was all unconsolidated, light density powder. A ski cut at the top of the first gully produced no results or signs of instability. Went for a second lap to the summit, and a ski cut over the top of a west facing gully triggered a slab avalanche, taking all the fresh snow with it. There was subtle sings of wind loading on the snow surface, and a cautious approach was taken. We were able to safely descend a ridge next to it, with no signs of slabs but chose not to ski cut the top of the gully.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1.5 R2
- Type
- SS
- Aspect
- W
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 4300 ft
Triggered a surface wind slab avalanche with a ski cut at the top of a west facing gully off the Marmot summit. The crown extended across the apron of the gully, maybe 150’ wide, and was about 5-6” thick. A couple of sympathetic triggers happened initially, and got swept down with it. All just the new snow sliding on the hard crusty old snow. No step downs into the ground layer facets.