Switched to crampons and tools to get up to NEB about 200 feet below the first pitch. During the approach from the lot we saw that it was snowing more than we expecting and were wary about avy conditions. Decided we wanted to at least get to the base of the climb. We were traversing right across steep snow when my tool placement activated a small avalanche almost entirely to my right. While the avalanche by itself was mostly harmless, if it had swept me off and carried me, it could have taken me off a cliffs about 150 feet below me. We turned back afterwards.