Image 1 of 6 Of:  Avalanche Observation Copyright:  Andy Perkins
Image 2 of 6 Of:  Avalanche Observation Copyright:  Andy Perkins
Image 3 of 6 Of:  Avalanche Observation Copyright:  Andy Perkins
Image 4 of 6 Of:  Avalanche Observation Copyright:  Andy Perkins
Image 5 of 6 Of:  Avalanche Observation Copyright:  Andy Perkins
Image 6 of 6 Of:  Avalanche Observation Copyright:  Andy Perkins
Avalanche Observation
• 10. Apr 09:00 • Dry slab avalanche • 1 - Small • Human triggered • N-facing • Avalanche release at 475 masl and ended at 437 masl • Buried weak layer of faceted snow above a crust • 55 cm high and 80 m wide fracture • Steep slope • Was remotely triggered
Incident
• Foreign tourist • Completely unknown • Ascending • During our ascent, we noticed a previous spontaneous slab release a few hundred meters to the lookers left of the incident site.
We paused on a sub 30 degree area below where the avalanche eventually ran out.
The guide instructed the two clients to spread out and advanced 20m.
He dug a hand test pit and achieved a shear test result on the icy base 20cm down by pulling very hard. He then advanced and the two clients followed.
The second client also dug a hand test pit with a shear on a moderate pull.
He then took a few steps and there was a whoomph followed by remote release of the avalanche, which passed the client a few meters behind him.
It is of note that the crown wall was 55cm whereas the depth to the triggered layer was 20cm at the point where the client triggered it.