Ross Pillows Slab Avalanche

Avalanche date/time

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 17:45

Estimated occurrence time of avalanche

Less than 12 hours ago

Number of avalanches in this report

1

The size of avalanche

1.5

Slab thickness

30cm

Slab width

15m

Run length

30m

Avalanche Character

• Persistent slab

Trigger type

Skier

Trigger subtype

Remote

Remote trigger distance

3m

Start zone aspect

• SE

Start zone elevation band

• Below treeline

Start zone elevation

1,240m

Start zone incline

35°

Runout zone elevation

1,210m

Weak layer burial date

Tuesday, February 8, 2000

Weak layer crystal type

• Surface hoar and facets

Crust near weak layer

Yes

Wind exposure

No wind exposure

Vegetation cover

Sparse trees or gladed slope

Today we were going on a tour to ross pillows, our group decided to approach from the loop brook parking, moving along the creek - to then put an uptrack in the ross pillows face.

Getting on to the face the snow felt good, however pretty soon when we got onto a steeper section with unsupported snow (pillows) we noticed a high reactivity in the snowpack, shooting cracks and wumphing. Despite this we decided to continue a little further up, soon the 2 people in the front decided we needed to stop & discuss wether to continue or not.

As the remaining 3 in the group made their way to their position the 2 in the front stayed in position, but then taking 1 more step remotely triggered an avalanche on to the last person in the group.

The slide didn’t drag the last person with it and slid quite short.

After the slide the crust below was very apparent and very thick.