Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
- Collapsing
- isolated
Travel through commonwealth was a pain as expected, minimal new snow and lots of slick surfaces and refrozen tree bombs. New snow accumulations were minimal until ~4700ft then depths started to increase. Snow seemed stable with the only signs of instability being skin track corners breaking on a few kick turns. At ~5200 group dug hasty pits down to the new snow interface and found in spots very well bonded & right side up snow and in spots a mid storm density change. Neither scenarios provided any indication of cohesive slabs. Upon reaching 5300ft skier out in front heard a whumpf with an associated shooting crack. Group stopped progress and discussed. There was some old avy debris assumed from early in the week that may have indicated slope had shed previously. Group began spacing out and proceeded cautiously until another whumpf was heard & remotely triggering a slab originating at the overhead rock band. All 4 skiers were caught and carried (see details above). A quick group assessment was made and we rendezvoused at the most injured skier. Called 911 to get in contact with SAR when it was apparent we had an immobilized skier. Using a splitboard/poles/straps we improvised a rescue sled and leg splint. We also had a 60m lightweight rope that was rigged to belay the sled down. We began self extracting and made it to flatter bench at ~4300ft when we were joined by 2 other parties that greatly aided in the rescue with an extra rope, clothing, supplies, and manpower. With their help we continued out navigating some tricky terrain & side hilling until met with SMR & SPART teams who were able to repackage and toboggan out the immobilized skier. Many many many thanks to the parties who helped out and SMR, SPART, and Alpy patrol.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2
- Aspect
- SW
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 5300 ft
4 Skiers caught and carried from a wind slab that was remotely trigged from below. 1 partial burial, and 1 immobilized skier. Bed surface was not examined, but the weak layer is assumed to be facets on the crust from earlier in the week.