CAIC

Details

Snowpack Description: We had skied east aspects earlier in the day and were observing 2"-4" of new snow on a firm base. In the afternoon we moved to a northwest aspect and observed the same 2"-4" on an unconsolidated base. Our ascent route wrapped slightly around a small ridge and had a more west to southwest aspect. The snow on the west and southwest shoulder that we just poked onto was more firm and windslab-like.

Avalanche Description: The avalanche occurred as we made what would have been likely one of our last switchbacks before we were going to traverse to the north across scoured slopes. Both skiers felt the whoompf and the slope begin to move shortly after. Skier 1 was pulled down into the gulley and skier 2 was pulled through the trees. Skier 1 was buried up to his waist and skier 2 ended up on top of the snow. Skier 1 deployed an airbag and removed a ski after not being able to ski out of the avalanche. Skier 1 rode the avalanche in a vertical sitting and standing position. Skier 1 lost a ski and a pole. Skier 2 was on a split board and ended up with his head downhill during the avalanche. Skier 2 was able to locate all gear. This was a hard slab avalanche with up to refrigerator sized blocks observed in the debris.

Date

Location/Path

Elev

Asp

Type

Trig

SizeR

SizeD

2020/03/09 ^†

Other

AS / u