Surfing Lou Dawson’s site this morn–WildSnow.com–I came across a trip report describing a recent avalanche on Chair Mountain, up in the West Elks. Dawson believes the thing went during a period of “High” danger, or “Red” based up on the new classification this season.
Click through HERE to give a read…and while you’re at it, stick around and check out the endless gear reviews and content on Dawson’s site.
Forecasting has been tough on the CAIC crew this season, as observations and test results show low probability in triggering deep-slab instabilities…but huge consequences should one of these larger avalanches go. Dawson estimates the crown a mile long and up to four feet deep in places–woh. Towards the Front Range and Summit County, features like the Professor and Stanley paths have gone big, though with explosive triggers. Point is–hard slab avalanches can lure a skier further onto a slope before going and hard slabs usually fail above the unfortunate person to trigger it.
Play safe and just because two, three, or ten people before you have “gotten away” with skiing a line…it doesn’t mean you will, too. See you out there, brothers and sisters!
