Grandaddy Couloir Cornice Fall

Incident

Group Size

3

Terrain Trap

cliff, gullyDepression

Group Activity

skiing

Number Injured

0

Number Involved

3

Number Caught Only

3

Number Fully Buried

0

Snow Depth Trigger Point

average

Number Partly Buried Able Breathing

0

Number Partly Buried Impaired Breathing

0

Three climbers were transitioning around 25 meters from the top of Grandaddy Couloir when a portion of the cornice collapsed, triggering a size 1 avalanche at the top of the couloir. The avalanche swept over all three climbers; however, all individuals successfully self-arrested, and none were carried away. Member 1’s snowboard and Member 2’s bag were displaced by the slide. Member 2 descended first and was able to recover all lost equipment. Member 1 descended safely alongside Member 3, though without his snowboard. No one was injured and all gear was recovered. No signs of potential cornice failure were observed prior to entering the couloir.