Observation Date: 01/29/2017

Route/Location:
Large west-facing avalanche path on Holland Peak.

Weather:
Sunny with moderate winds.

Wind:

New Snow: 0-3″

Avalanche Activity:
Triggered a wind slab on a layer of basal facets on a steep (~40 degree) West face at 8,500 ft (R3, D2). The slab failed on a thin patch of snow and propagated about 200 ft across a windslab. The crown was about 2′ deep at its thickest, and the slide ran 1,500 vertical feet. A snow pit on a similar aspect around 7000 ft showed a relatively stable snowpack, but the snowpack got noticeably thinner and weaker as we gained elevation.

Other Comments:
Third skier in the party triggered the slide, no one was caught.

Observer: Sam Niederman