Purcell’s, T3 Peak south of KH Resort

Avalanche

Trigger Type

skier

Wind Exposure

crossLoadedSlope

Avalanche Size

3

Trigger Sub Type

remote

Start Zone Aspect

NE

Vegetation Cover

openSlope

Avalanche Character

persistentSlab

Number Of Avalanches

1

Runout Zone Elevation

1300

Start Zone Elevation Band

alp

Avalanche Occurrence Datetime

2024-03-07T20:30:00.000Z

Party of four boot packed ridge southward to gain east facing slope, traversing a flat narrow ridge a few meters above the eventual highest point of the fracture line. Skied slope one at a time down to flat bench 50m south of eventual slide. On the third run (now 100m south of avalanche) the fourth person (the 12th person to ski the slope) was reaching the flat bench when the avalanche occurred (images 1 & 2). Assume it was skier remote triggered but no sounds of settlement or feeling of settlement were noted. The slide may have started at the level of the flat bench which ended by rolling over on to a steep 50+ degree unsupported slope and then with support removed, the avalanche move upward on the lower angled slope shown in the first two images. Image 3 is looking down from the ridge at the avalanche with a crack that extended south from the slide. Image 4 is looking down from the ridge at the slide from the north, showing the edge of the bench in the sunlight where it rolls over on to steeper terrain. Image 5 is looking down from the ridge to the avalanche deposit down in the sunlight below.