Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 38°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 61 m
- Weak Layer
- Density Change
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Vertical Fall
- 183 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 25 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Intentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3170 m
Very touchy new wind slabs along the ridgelines. Most 6-10" deep with one propagating 200' wide. All soft and manageable. Needed to be in wind affected terrain with an easterly component. A few shallow naturals observed that likely occurred mid-morning. Fits the trend of the cycle - naturals, then touchy to human provocation, then stubborn, then gone. This, of course - without a persistent weak layer (PWL).
Photo below illustrates the natural activity in the Wolverine Cirque
Thought maybe a natural had occurred off the ridgeline here - could that be a fracture line? Look a little closer -
Cornices remain very large. In the 'deep slab' category - unmanageable. Sometimes it's hard to tell how close you are to the ridgeline - if you don't know - don't go. Avoid going over with the cornice - after it breaks out behind you. Walk in the mountains long enough and its inevitable - just like they say about Grand Canyon river guides - two types of boaters - those that have flipped, those that are gonna. Give them a wide berth.