Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 46 m
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Slab Thickness
- 30 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2530 m
On my way out, I decided to ski a short (~200' vert) SE facing shot at 8350' that I can usually link up to exit. It has a low angle lead in (30 degrees), onto a convex roll leading to a ~35 degree slope with a large bench like runoff about 150-200' down.
I made 3 turns, and once I crossed over the convex roll, I saw the slope start to move under my feet. I pointed downhill and towards my safe zone on the skier's left.
The slide appeared to move fairly slow, and seemed to be a soft slab that perhaps failed on the new snow interface and pulled down lower in certain parts.
I climbed back up to take a look from the top and gather what info I could, but I didn't want to get too close due to the amount of hangfire left.
The slide propagated out maybe 100'-150', the crown was variable in depth, but it seemed to be about a foot deep where I triggered it from. The toe was about 200' down and stopped on the flat bench.
I was alone, and failed to recognize the signs of wind cross loading the slope. Nor did I think through the fact the bed surface was probably some type of slick melt freeze/wind crust.
I was quite shook up after, but am grateful to be able to learn from my mistakes and carelessness. I certainly burned up my luck today, but am frustrated and disappointed I made such a poor choice.
Sorry for the low quality pictures and lack of crown profile, but I didn't want to expose myself any more.