Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

We needed ski crampons on our way up the steeper parts of Little Slide Canyon approaching East Couloir around 9am. As we came out of the shade, the strong sun was felt instantly and snow got noticeably softer. One person in the group went ahead up a steeper slope with crampons and by the time the others got started 5min later, snow became so soft that we had to cut our lower angle line.

At 9:45, we were making our way up lookers right of the East Couloir entrance and heard avalanche activity within the couloir. Following, we saw up to basketball size snow chunks fall out. Five minutes later, another slab of snow fell off rocks to the right of the entry to East Couloir. We made the call to turn around and rode down to the basin. Skiers at the basin on their way towards the Hulk later confirmed that they saw the first slide come off a rock in the couloir. Small rock falls were heard within the following hour or so we were up there but no other slides that we observed.

Most of the debris in the attached photo were already there when we arrived but we think some of the right pile may have come from the slide we witnessed. Glide cracks can also be seen in the photo.

Observed Avalanches

Signs of Unstable Snow