One slab down, one or two more to go?

Quick report

Weather

sunny, warm

Ride Type

alpineSlopes, steepSlopes, sunnySlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

heavy, wet

Rode alpine ENE face after careful evaluation. Although overnight recovery was poor (freezing lvl 2500m), shaded slopes above 1800m were firm. Hand shear at 2400m+ showed few cm wet loose, and persistent slab down ~30cm, resistant, on a thick crust. Slope had sufficient sun to be receptive to a wet loose ski cut. We then skied the slope without issue. Considering the 3 layers in the forecast snowpack assessment (Mar, Feb, and Jan) earlier this spring, I think the size 3 slid on the March or Feb layer. The 30cm persistent slab we found in the hand shear may be the Jan or Feb layer. Regardless, another big one is waiting for warming or loading.

Avalanche

Trigger Type

natural

Wind Exposure

leeSlope

Avalanche Size

3

Start Zone Aspect

E, NE

Vegetation Cover

openSlope

Start Zone Incline

40

Avalanche Character

persistentSlab

Crust Near Weak Layer

1

Number Of Avalanches

1

Start Zone Elevation

2450

Runout Zone Elevation

1800

Avalanche Observation

moreThan48hrsAgo

Start Zone Elevation Band

alp

Avalanche Occurrence Datetime

2025-04-05T19:20:00.000Z