The big one

Map for Mountain Information Network report: The big one

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Hard
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny
Avalanche conditions
  • Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Comments

Sled triggered deep slab size 3ish. North aspect, crown at just below 2400m. Slid on or near ground, crown about 120cm. Second rider to climb slope triggered slide as they crested ridge top. There was a slight delay so they were a couple sled lengths above the crown by the time the slope started moving.

10cm new snow on top of a very consolidated midpack. Crust not really present at elevation avalanche was triggered. Upper snowpack was not reactive in any of our tests and did not observe any instability of the new snow even on extreme alpine slopes.

10 or so climbs had been made on the slope a couple days prior. Probably a classic case of finding the perfect trigger point where the snow was shallow near a rock outcrop.

We were pulling straight over the top, one at a time with a spotter and radio contact. Could have been a lot scarier instead of just a good learning opportunity.