Kokanee Bowl Skier Triggered Avalanche

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Kokanee Bowl Skier Triggered Avalanche

Information

Avalanche date/time
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 22:00
Estimated occurrence time of avalanche
Less than 12 hours ago
Number of avalanches in this report
1
The size of avalanche
1
Slab thickness
25cm
Slab width
17m
Run length
120m
Avalanche Character
  • Wind slab
Trigger type
Skier
Trigger subtype
Accidental
Start zone aspect
  • W
Start zone elevation band
  • Treeline
Start zone elevation
2,255m
Start zone incline
35°
Runout zone elevation
2,133m
Wind exposure
Cross-loaded slope
Vegetation cover
Open slope

Comments

Today I was caught in an avalanche in the Revelstoke BC backcountry. I had just skied the same run about 10' to the right and my guard was 100% down. Honestly, I didn't even think about avalanches before dropping into this line. I felt like we'd already made our assessment and the snow was stable enough to ski this zone. There were also tracks everywhere luring me into a false sense of security. I was wrong. I ripped out a 10" deep, 50' wide class 1 avalanche that took me for a 200' ride. I was able to stay over my skis and ski out of the avalanche. I was able to pull my avalanche airbag backpack while in the slide. The experience was harrowing. I got going damn fast and snow was starting to come up over my body and splash my face. I was able to stay calm and focused on escaping the avalanche. To me, it felt huge and scary and like I was going to be buried if I didn't release from the avalanche. Today was a lesson learned. I'm going to try to always keep my guard up and always reassess every slope before I drop in. Thanks to my strong partners today for being ready to rock in every situation. Video of this avalanche here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CY5XIiOrM1j/