Public Observation - loose sluff, cornice fall, and wind slab on Appistoki

Location Name: 
Public Observation - loose sluff, cornice fall, and wind slab on Appistoki
Region: 
Glacier National Park - Southern Lewis Range
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Fri, 04/03/2015 - 14:03
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Loose/Point-Release
Slope: 
40degrees
Weak Layer: 
Other - explain below
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
8 000ft.
Avalanche Length: 
700ft.
Number of people caught: 
2
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

We climbed the big East face of Appistoki as a party of five. While three members were waiting on top of the ridge/ summit a cornice from above and over to the right / South naturally broke free from windloading. It entrained the new soft snow and ran over 500 feet carrying the two people below 200 feet total. No one was injured. The two carried, got to a safe zone while the three on top skied down. The first skier triggered a wind slab. It left a 1 foot crown 50 feet wide. This slab did not entrain or run as far as the natural. It was a close call. The slabs could harden up over nght. Lots of new snow transporting on east slopes.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
More detailed information about the weather: 

Winds were blowing from the west all day. The sun did not affect the slopes by warming.

Activity: 
Skiing