Observation Date: 02/15/2014

Route/Location:
Accessed terrain via Lolo pass on snow machines. We got to the top of the ridge around 11am and discussed options and conditions.

Weather:
It was warm with overcast skies.

Wind:
There wasn’t any wind but we could see cornices and wind loading to lookers right (North Facing).

New Snow: 3-6″

Avalanche Activity:
Our group consisted of two skiers both with formal avalanche education (Level I and II). We reached the location with thoughts of skiing moderate terrain. Both members had read the most recent missoulaavalanch.org advisory (2/14/14) and were aware of the considerable advisory. We found a moderate angle slope (22 degrees and almost due east aspect) roughly 7000′ and dropped to a 33-36 degree convex roll over where we performed slope stability tests. Test results were CTM23Q1 and ECTN21Q1 with the primary instability 18-20 inches from the surface. Skier A skied the slope and lost a ski at the bottom of the concave slope. That skier then started hiking up to retrieve the ski when a loud audible whoomph was heard. Immediately following, a slab avalanche remotely released and propagated roughly 500′ at a depth of 4-4.5′ deep. The avalanche ran approximately 700-800′ and overran skier A at the bottom of the slope. Skier A was covered and carried 100′ before being deposited with head near the surface. Skier A was able to self rescue and communicate via radio to Skier B. Skier A was uninjured and able to hike up slide path to skier B. Skis, poles and other gear were lost during the slide. The slide ran on a very deep instability consisting of clean ice crust that was not observed in slope assessment.

Other Comments:

Observer: Kyle Sillars