Sawatch
AvalancheAnonymous · May 27, 2019 · Sawatch
Weather
Taylor Park. Grizzky Peak. Good freeze down below 10,000 feet. Clear morning. Wind and clouds started increasing mid-morning. Dropped right before skies went to over cast. Very strong winds from the west.
Snowpack
Started on dry ground from the road. Quickly transitioned to frozen snow. Isothermal to 12,000 feet. Above 12,000 feet more winter to winter-to-spring transition. Wind-loaded slopes harboring wind slabs.
Avalanche
After about 3 turns, at approximately 13,000 feet, on the skier's right of the main chute on the east face of Grizzly Peak, I triggered a wind slab that quickly propagated across the entire aspect. I was not able to get back to the ridgeline and was carried about a thousand feet over two large cliffs. Miraculously, I survived the drops unscathed and came to the surface as the avalanche dispersed and slowed to a stop. Obviously, I am incredibly lucky to be alive. This has been a cold, snowy spring, and many slopes are still skiing like it's earlier than late May. I fell into that trap, don't be like me..