Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
- Collapsing
- isolated
This observation revealed that steep, Northerly lee slopes in the vicinity of Carlton ridge and Lolo peak may be sensitive and wind-loaded. We skied low-angle zones south of Carlton ridge and adjacent to/below Lolo peak, and we observed no clear signs of instability in the Carlton lake drainage (although we did not conduct snowpack tests today). We observed 4-8inches of fresh snow (fell yesterday, 11/28), yet many rocks were still exposed. The new snow was light (great skiing!) and poorly bonded to the higher-density layer below it. We observed cold, clear and calm conditions, with increasing cloud cover throughout the day. Our travel was cautious.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1 R1
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- NW
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 8600 ft
While descending the lower western ridgeline of the unnamed peak due east of Carlton ridge, we remotely triggered an avalanche into the northwest-facing bowl adjacent to the summit. We experienced a loud, gunshot-esque sound, followed by the avalanche. Riders were out of harms way. The crown was roughly 8-12in thick and about 30-40 feet wide and broke in new, wind-loaded snow (cornices, see photo). The avalanche was isolated to a chute within the bowl. We believe the avalanche likely slid on a buried high-density horizon, which we observed in the vicinity of the avalanche. Debris slid nearly to the bottom of the bowl.