Observation: Public

Observation Details

Triggered Avalanches

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We skied numerous lines in the Kendall Adventure Zone today before our group triggered a D2 wind slab around 5,100' in the apron of CT Chute.

Snow was soft and well bonded to the crust below on N aspects. We skied Silver Lining and Icy Gash with no instability issues and minimal sluffing.

While skinning up CT Chute, two in our group skinned out towards a corner near rocks and treeline which was steeper and more exposed to wind loading. While trying to put in a kick-turn, two in our group trigged a D2 wind slab with a crown around 6-8 inches deep. The slab released both above and below them and they were carried, but not buried. The slide ran approximately 500'. The two skiers were unharmed. We had to spend some time searching the slide path for missing skis and poles, but were able to find them after a thorough search. After we successfully retrieved the skis, we exited out Sterling Direct, again without instability issues.

Throughout the day there was significant wind transport and spindrift of snow in the KAZ. Numerous times significant spindrift came off the rocks above. There was lots of graupel present as well.