Close call on Mt Sparrowhawk

Quick report

Riding Quality

ok

Incident

Group Size

2

Terrain Trap

gullyDepression, cliff

Group Activity

skiing

Number Injured

0

Number Involved

0

Number Caught Only

0

Number Fully Buried

0

Snow Depth Trigger Point

shallow

Terrain Shape Trigger Point

concave

Number Partly Buried Able Breathing

0

Number Partly Buried Impaired Breathing

0

Attempt on Sparrowhawk. Very crusty / no snow up to around 2100m, then pockets of incredible powder. We were heading up the slope to the summit col between Reeds tower and the summit ridge when we felt the whole slope drop a bit underneath us. This was accompanied by one of the scariest sounds I've ever heard. Like a double whumph, but as loud as a concert speaker. Several cracks moved across the slope as well. We were extremely lucky the slope didn't slide as it would have been large enough to take us both for a serious ride. We escaped by traversing above the cliff band on the West face, however there was several wind slabs we had to cross that would frequently drum / whumph when we stepped on them. I would avoid this area until it sees more snow and has some time to stabilize. That main slope is probably going to be ripe for a while.