Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We were skiing one at a time, westward off the south ridge of platinum in an area that is often wind swept. Last week this area way thin and rocky, today it had substantially more snow.

The first skier reached the burned trees below, the second skier was descending, and the third skier was watching. Very quickly and very suddenly the trees (15-20 sizable snags) around the lowest skier shook and dumped rime ice simultaneously. The third skier felt a sudden collapse and heard a loud wumpf.

After descending back down to the bullion skin track another skier reported hearing the loud wumpf as well.

We ascended Platinum down valley and came back to the shoulder to make observations. We found widespread cracks propogating northword around the rocky prow and slightly southward as well. Nothing appears to have popped or slid and there were no other signs of activity.