Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Gary Smith · Apr 27, 2019 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Mostly Sunny and gusty. Sustained winds WNW over 20 mph and ridge top gusts over 40 mph. Cool to cold feeling depending on sun/wind exposure

Snowpack

3-4" of new snow around trailhead, average of 6-8" at elevation. Minimal wind effect below ~13,000 ft. Denser and more cohesive slabs above.

Avalanche

After skiing a high alpine northwest aspect and climbing a southeast, Skiers 1 and 2 transitioned around 13,250 feet to ski a similar northwest aspect on the way to a third line. Skier one started the descent and Skier 2 was watching until Skier 1 reached the flats. Skier 1 made approximately 4 turns center of the depression and slightly skiers left. Skier 1 felt the snow give and looked over their right shoulder to see a 6-inch crown 15 feet above, terminating in the scree skiers right about 25 feet away. The small size of the crown viewed did not prompt a strong mental response or an urgent reaction. Skier 1 tried to traverse into the scree field and was swept off their feet. Behind Skier 1 and to the left, the crown was up to 12 inches deep and approximately 500 feet wide. Skier 1 lost the right (uphill) ski and was entrenched in the avalanche, sliding "baseball style" on their right hip. Skier 1 fought to stay on top and tried unsuccessfully to release the downhill ski. Mid-slope Skier 1 went airborne over a steep rock band and landed in the same position. Skier 1 came to rest on top of the debris in the flats approximately 600 feet downslope. Skier 2 immediately started following Skier 1 on the bed surface of the avalanche. Skier 1 was able to signal OK when Skier 2 reached the rock band. Skier 1 was lucky to suffer what appears to be a bruised knee and was able to collect all of their gear and ski out. The skiers had begun before the CAIC report was released but did check CAIC-compiled weather reports noting high winds and moderate snow in the area. These in addition to high winds while out and snow available for transport were not properly accounted for given the terrain. Previous ski line on similar aspect had given a false sense of stability even though snow was obviously dense there too where exposed.