Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

Went to check out and ski one of the bardini chutes. Decided to back off due to wind slab concerns. Skied from just below the summit of Punta Bardini down skiers left of the main bardini chute. My buddy and I both ski cut a steep rollover before entering one of the mellower avi paths skiers left of the main Bardini Chute. No action on the ski cuts, but a couple of turns in the snow went from soft to firm wind slab. I triggered a wind slab that was about 8" deep, 50' wide, and 300' long. I was able to dig into the bed surface and stop myself quickly from going for a ride. The slab broke above and below me when it fractured (no one likes that). The spacial variability issue that Clancy spoke about in the forecast discussion on March 26th was spot on. Where we ski cut we found stable snow, but 40 feet away, when I skied into a different pocket of snow, that is where I encountered the punchy wind slab that fractured. Stay safe out there and use terrain to your advantage. I should have skied slightly more skiers left and used better terrain to my advantage.

Triggered Avalanches

Signs of Unstable Snow