Reactive storm slabs, Balu Pass

The storm slab sitting on the April 16 interface (temp crust to 2000m, surface hoar/facets on polar aspects) is easy to initiate by ski-cutting on slopes greater than 30* near Balu Pass in Glacier National Park. A Parks Canada field team was able to venture further up the ridge to the north of Balu Pass and ski-cut similar depth (10-20cm) soft storm slabs on E-facing slopes.

The group that triggered the avalanche in the picture mentioned they found surface hoar, sz 1-2mm, on the interface. It is uncertain from what distance they remotely triggered the avalanche. The Parks Canada field team was able to ski-cut several sz 0.5-1 avalanches on steep slopes and rolls immediately north of Balu Pass. They found a slightly more dense wind slab sitting on top of a lower density layer.