Cornice Fall Avalanche Mt. Field - Mt. Wapta Ridge.

Avalanche

Trigger Type

natural

Wind Exposure

leeSlope

Avalanche Size

2

Start Zone Aspect

E

Vegetation Cover

openSlope

Start Zone Incline

45

Avalanche Character

corniceWithSlab, looseDry

Number Of Avalanches

1

Runout Zone Elevation

2250

Start Zone Elevation Band

alp

Avalanche Occurrence Datetime

2025-04-10T17:45:00.000Z

Despite cool temperatures and powder snow at the start elevation, it appeared that sun warming the rock on the slope along with some small portions of cornice fall were the primary triggers. A number of small avalanches began occurring on near vertical rock faces of Mt. Wapta about a half hour before the avalanche occurred. With the avalanche occurring at 11:45 it is a reminder that even with an early start may not be enough to avoid avalanche risk.