Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

Strong SW winds were blowing snow straight up the couloir while we were climbing it. The lower 1/3rd was excellent cramponing conditions, the middle 1/3rd was firm and supportable wind buff, the upper 1/3rd was knee to waist deep booting.

Dug several hand pits/hand shears, results varied based on micro aspect changes. In the upper 1/3rd of the couloir we found 2-4” soft wind slab on top of a more unconsolidated layer which sat on a half inch crust with 1mm facets below.

We ski cut the top of the couloir which released this soft slab and took out the rest of the couloir, crown depth ranging from 4”-15”. The avalanche could not bury someone, but was incredibly fast moving and surely could have dragged a person into the talus field below. Estimated size D1.5, ran approximately 2,000 feet to the valley.

Triggered Avalanches

Signs of Unstable Snow