Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 12 m
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 61 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Cornice Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3505 m
Evidence of an avalanche was observed below the summit chutes. Obvious crowns were present at the repeat-offender rollover at the top of the choke and along the flanks through the choke. An uptrack entered the gully below this feature and was covered by debris, with no visible signs of the track exiting the gully. No other tracks were observed on the surrounding snow surface. Two sets of tracks—one skier and possibly one snowboarder—were seen exiting from the toe of the debris.
Forecaster Comments: We received confirmation from a backcountry party that this was a natural avalanche. This slope is very prone to wind loading during NW wind events. On Tuesday, 1-27, I was able to get a good look at the ridgeline, and it appears the cornice broke and initially triggered a shallow wind slab that then stepped down deeper. See the photo below.