Skier caught in cornice fall

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation- Heavens Peak, GNP
Observation date: 
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 - 13:00

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

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Quick Observation

 Checked out the site of a skier-triggered cornice fall incident.  A skier on Sunday unintentionally triggered a large cornice while skinning uphill on a narrow, corniced ridgeline on the northeast side of Heavens Peak. The skier was carried into the adjacent basin, injured, and lost both poles and a ski. He was able to self rescue. The cornice and snow debris was D2 in size.

 

Today, we found a nice window of stable corn skiing on easterly aspects from 8:00 am to 10:30 am, after which the snow started to become unsupportable and punchy near rocks and trees. Westerly aspects softened around 1 to 2 pm. We saw some very small and shallow loose wet avalanches shed from rocky areas later in the day. No other signs of instability. High north is still holding dry snow. Evidence of larger loose wet and storm slabs from last week, up to D2. 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - McDonald Lake Area
Route Description: 

Heavens Peak

Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
NE
E
SW
W
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Sunday, April 22, 2018 - 13:00
Avalanche Type: 
Cornice
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Details of the slide provided by a 3rd party

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
skier
Trigger Modifier: 
Accidentally Triggered
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Hide People Involved
Number of people caught: 
1
Avalanche Location: