Quick report
- Cracking
- Observed
- Collapsing
- Observed
While travelling uphill at ~9,700' elevation on a E slope at approximately 12:30pm a D2 skier triggered avalanche occurred following a widespread whumpf near the top of a ~30deg slope. No prior whumps, or cracking observed. The sun had emerged from persistent cloud cover noticeably and rapidly heating the air temperature and snowpack. The storm slab from the previous 2 days began to feel upside down near the top and denser with the direct sunlight. The loud whumpf occurred suddenly and unexpectedly. The slab broke forming ~3' crown stepping down to an old freeze thaw crust beneath occurring ~15' above a group of 4 skiers ascending the slope via skinning. 1 skier was caught and carried ~200' downslope managing to stay on top of the debris. No significant injuries were sustained. All skiers were able to evacuate safely.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2
- Aspect
- E
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 9700 ft
While travelling uphill at ~9,700' elevation on a E slope at approximately 12:30pm a D2 skier triggered avalanche occurred following a widespread whumpf near the top of a ~30deg slope. No prior whumps, or cracking observed. The sun had emerged from persistent cloud cover noticeably and rapidly heating the air temperature and snowpack. The storm slab from the previous 2 days began to feel upside down near the top and denser with the direct sunlight. The loud whumpf occurred suddenly and unexpectedly. The slab broke forming ~3' crown stepping down to an old freeze thaw crust beneath occurring ~15' above a group of 4 skiers ascending the slope via skinning. 1 skier was caught and carried ~200' downslope managing to stay on top of the debris. No significant injuries were sustained. All skiers were able to evacuate safely.