Vail & Summit County
AvalancheAnonymous · Apr 5, 2019 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
60% cloud cover, roughly 25ºF at the top of Crystal
Snowpack
Noticeable wind loading, with large wind lips around the summit. While checking out the entrance to couloir, the group noticed and discussed the presence of a slab on the more east facing aspects.
Avalanche
There are two rolls above the entrance to the couloir on the skier's left side (N-E facing). While crossing the first roll, the group made a small attempt to ski cut it, releasing several 3'x3' blocks, varying in thickness. Deciding that the problem seems isolated, they decided to continue to the next roll. Skier 1 decided to try and avoid the problem on this roll by skiing the more direct-north option of the slope, and stay closer to rocks. A couple turns in, a wind slap was released from the tips of ski 1's skis and propagated about 50 yards across the entire N-E and E aspects of the roll. The deepest section slid to about 12" deep. Skiers 2 and 3 ski cut the remaining parts of the same wind slab while skier 1 was waiting in a protected spot. We're thinking that the initial slide, triggered by skier 1, was probably a R2-D1.5 since it wasn't enough snow to bury someone, by definitely enough to carry someone about 1000' down the couloir.