Near Miss, Simpson
Incidentsteven.a.kovalenko · Feb 27, 2021 · Kootenay
Avalanche
- Run Length
- 2500
- Slab Width
- 20
- Trigger Type
- skier
- Wind Exposure
- crossLoadedSlope
- Avalanche Size
- 3
- Slab Thickness
- 30
- Trigger Sub Type
- accidental
- Start Zone Aspect
- S
- Vegetation Cover
- openSlope
- Start Zone Incline
- 34
- Avalanche Character
- deepPersistentSlab
- Crust Near Weak Layer
- 1
- Number Of Avalanches
- 2-5
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2260
- Runout Zone Elevation
- 1800
- Start Zone Elevation Band
- tln
- Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
- 2021-02-27T12:00:00
1st skier ski cut the line on a steeper planar area above the main part of the run, then skied about 300m down the lower angle more open part of the run into an island of safety. 2nd skier spooned turns, avalanche released above and behind him ~10m in the area that was already skied. Rest of group (4 of 6) was watching above from safe area. Initial release was described as very slow and stubborn. As it continued slowly down the slope, it triggered a deeper persistent layer and then started to gain steam behind the 2nd skier. Good communication to 2nd skier ensured they were aware of avalanche, and they got out of the way to island of safety (refer to photos). Avalanche continued to rip down the gully, resulting in huge powder cloud at valley bottom. 1st skier reported hearing trees snapping lower in gully as it carried on past the safe area. When avalanche released on deeper layer, it whoomphed over a larger area across the entire island of safety. It triggered a sympathetic release on this layer 40m west (skiers right) of island of safety, which ripped out closer to ridgeline than the initial avalanche. Compression test results 40m from bed surface on slope in the low 30s. 18 sudden planar medium, 45 down 24 resistant planar, 55 down Avalanche slab thickness varied greatly.
Incident
- Group Size
- 6
- Terrain Trap
- gullyDepression
- Group Activity
- skiing
- Number Injured
- 0
- Number Involved
- 0
- Number Caught Only
- 0
- Number Fully Buried
- 0
- Snow Depth Trigger Point
- deep
- Terrain Shape Trigger Point
- planar
- Number Partly Buried Able Breathing
- 0
Group of 6, 2 involved. First skier ski cut the top of a planar open area above a supported gully, skied 300m distance of the line and got into a safe area on the side. Second skier dropped in triggered a small, but slow stubborn slab that eventually caused a release that stepped down resulting in a more significant avalanche. 0 buried. Good communication ensured everyone walked away.