Look at 0:00 That is wind blown slab. You can not ski that. If you cut this twice you would release it and end up in the safe spot on top of the right ridge, but you did not even bother to cut it. When you see snow like that you simply need to know it's unskiable.
Good you're allright 🙌 In the video you see very strong wind from the right which made a big sideloaded windslap which was probably most weakest at the top right in the couloir. Thats probably also why you trigered it on the second run when you decided to go more to the right side. Thanks for sharing!
1very lucky puppy...1st mistake , thinking its fine with ICY conditions under blown snow...very obviously loaded blown snow! 2nd mistake , not trying to immediately ski away or out of it as it was not that wide and you did have options that were close by and NOT sliding. Hope you learned alot that day and you can use the experience to enjoy better conditions next time...
Skiing out of it was impossible from the position I was at. Top of slide triggered few meters above me, when it started sliding I was immediately on ground. From video it looks like I could just went there or there, but viedeo and real life are different. It is very strong force, getting out of it is not that easy.
Can't say for sure. Maybe yes maybe no. "Landing zone" had space for snow to spread, so it did not get too thick. But certainly happy for having an airbag.
Great explanation, as we know this area is prone to avalanches at all levels, quite ‘lucky landing’. Cursing anyhow could be avoided in YT video by beep!
Thank you for this video, very educational. Even with low avalanche risk wind is always the biggest risk to avalanches because it always creates a reletive weak layer compared to the hard pressed slab. Glad you are okay, I would suggest riding with a friend and I'm glad the airbag kept you on top of it.
No f***ng way you did a snow pack test. And if you did you should really evaluate your skills and learn before going into the backcountry. Also why does it look like you’re by yourself?
how many risks do you want to take - yes - riding solo - riding a stepp channel (without the ability of straight lining it out if necessary - wild guess) - N/E exposed - "layer of wind-drifted snow was noticeable [...] no signs of instability" Bro ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS ??? but hey it's only a 2 today and i know the terrain everybody thinking this was a justified ride pls pls pls go fucking educate yourself or stay away from back country good thing u ok
Tak to si mal riadny adrenalínový zažitok 😯, batoh pomohol , ostal si hore na lavíne , super že to takto dopadlo a dobre že to aj zdielaš... vela šťastia...
The first ride is lucky! The avalanche was evident by all indications - Hard snow under the skis + accumulated snow on the starboard edge from the wind = slab avalanche!
From your description I conclude that you have no idea about avalanches? Of course, a single trip is no guarantee that there is no danger. What was the warning level?
Of course single trip is no guarantee, but you still fell a bit "safer" if it's been ridden already than if you do first ride. Warning was 2 (moderate), with 1 below tree level. What part of description do you mean? I'm not the best with words so some might understand it different than what I meant.
I don't get how you didn't hit those rocks on the way down, you were heading straight in that direction. If you did hit, how did you get out uninjured?
I'm not sure if I hit them or not, it's not clearly seen from video, but looking at trajectory I might have hit them and probably even took I bit air (I felt my back in the evening). I wear helmet and also back protector (probably helped), while going down I also just braced for an impact.
Folks who ride backcountry do not hard side cut an upward ridgeline and pause. Level 2 or not you increase chances for top layer release and being that far up a shoot it can take you out. It almost looked intentional.
Not at all surprised. Slope stability can vary significantly even a few metres apart. Repeat loading, varying loading, turn pressure etc will all have an effect. A basic avalanche safety course will highlight all this. What was the local avi forecast, for that aspect, altitude etc? Did you dig a snowpit? What were the results? If not, just a gamble... And airbags will not save you from terrain traps or rock walls & drops.... You were lucky!
Glad you're okay! Thanks for sharing! Damn scared you were going to get hit by a rock. Soo main and annoying question: Where are your buddies, why alone? (I ask myself the same question and there is no exculpatory answer)
I believe he just hit that perfect trigger point on the lee side of that rock/cliff feature where a small wind slab had formed. I can't be super sure because the video moves pretty quick, but this wind slab did not look well represented throughout the rest of the zone's snowpack. The first run was safer because he stayed out of this slab; the second (as he states), he went .5M to the right - directly into that wind deposited snow on the lee side of the rock feature. That's where this failed. I don't think an ECT was going to show significant signs of instability unless he dug it directly in the spot where it slid or underneath a nearly identical lee facing rock feature. I am not super seasoned in my snowpack studies, but I think this is one of those lottery failures; everything looks fine, it was just that last second decision to turn into that under represented wind deposited snow. Take away - stay away from possible trigger points like directly under lone standing rocks, large trees, bushes.
Great example of what not to do. Dont ski cut or sideslip steeps under a cornice or ridgeline. Best way to start a slide. That was the diffference between the first and second lines.
