Richardson Ridge Skier Triggered Avalanche

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Richardson Ridge Skier Triggered Avalanche

Information

Avalanche date/time
Monday, December 14, 2020 at 13:30
Number of avalanches in this report
1
The size of avalanche
1
Slab thickness
10cm
Slab width
7m
Run length
200m
Avalanche Character
  • Loose dry
  • Wind slab
Trigger type
Skier
Trigger subtype
Accidental
Start zone aspect
  • S
  • SE
Start zone elevation band
  • Alpine
Start zone elevation
2,550m
Runout zone elevation
2,350m
Weak layer crystal type
  • Storm snow
Crust near weak layer
Yes
Wind exposure
Cross-loaded slope
Vegetation cover
Open slope

Comments

Skier triggered slide on south face of Richardson ridge(dog leg) across from lake Louise ski area. Top of the feature was cross loaded from the small amount of snow and high winds seen the previous night. Started as a slab but immediately broke up when going through the choke of the feature and continued as loose dry down to valley bottom. Small crown approx 10 cm deep and 25-30ft wide but ran to near valley bottom due to incline>30 degree. Debris field was quite small and only about a metre deep at thickest point. No one caught in the slide as I was able to self arrest at the first signs of slab splitting off and other members of the party were above and safe on the ridge