Size 1.5 slab avalanche on The Cleaver

Incident

Group Size

2

Terrain Trap

noTrap

Group Activity

skiing

Number Involved

1

Number Caught Only

1

Terrain Shape Trigger Point

convex

Softslab avalanche, size 1.5, skier accidental trigger, 15-20 cm thick at crown, 50m large, went down 100m, (20m x 15m x 0.5m debris). North aspect, alpine, alt. 2400m, 35°, triggered 15m below ridgetop near rocks (occured on the Cleaver, below the cliff band separating the skintrack ramp from the big convex). The ridge, the skintrack ramp and the big convex where all affected by the recent southerly winds. Looks like new snow overnight and these winds formed a fresh softslab in the most sheltered area. Skier stayed on its skis trying to escape but fell while the avalanche was slowing down, ending up sitting at the surface of the debris. No lost item, no injuries.