Emerald peak/top hat circumnavigation
Avalancheverhoeff ยท Jan 1, 2022
Quick report
- Weather
- cold, sunny
- Ride Type
- alpineSlopes
- Riding Quality
- good
- Snow Conditions
- powder
Skid the emerald peak/top hat circumnavigation and around the backside. Top hat face is relatively wind affected on the way up. Some signs of natural avalanches in Lee aspects. We skid down the line and stayed too far right in the trees. Unfortunately that brought us above a cliff. Couldn't go up or around. SOS via in reach and the parks team was invaluable guiding us down the slope. Side stepped down the right sided face near the bottom. While descending set off two size 1-2 avalanches. Slid on steep slopes down to cliff/rock face. Two people in party, no injuries. Exited around 1130pm. Good reminder to be ready for anything when out in the backcountry. Skins were useless, ski straps were key. Headlamp key and having gear to stay over night. Obvious, but a good reminder. Otherwise no signs of instability on the alpine snow pack. Some overhead risk building in from the south peaks.
Avalanche
- Run Length
- 70
- Slab Width
- 10
- Trigger Type
- skier
- Wind Exposure
- crossLoadedSlope
- Avalanche Size
- 2
- Slab Thickness
- 60
- Trigger Sub Type
- accidental
- Vegetation Cover
- openSlope
- Start Zone Incline
- 45
- Avalanche Character
- looseDry
- Number Of Avalanches
- 2-5
- Avalanche Observation
- 12to24hrsAgo
- Weak Layer Crystal Type
- surfaceHoarAndFacets, depthHoar
- Start Zone Elevation Band
- alp
- Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
- 2022-01-01T03:00:00.000Z
No propagation. Set off avalanches side stepping down the cliff. Set off below us and slid behind it. No burial. No injury.