North facing

I did not get much closer then this. The fracture starts from the middle and goes to the right through the trees where it cannot be viewed. This slide is in a bowl and i presume the the fracture is much larger than the photo shows. There is the big noticeable fracture and if you look closely there is a shorter fracture to the left. Somewhat disconnected from the major fracture but most likely slid together. Which tells me, the slides are LARGE on north facing slopes at elevations above 9900-11000ft.

When the snow fractures it is deep and has an impressive crown width, combining with any surfaces that are connected on a similar aspect. This section is roughly 43 degrees and fans out into a open area that is around 30-35 degrees. Assuming the run out potentially came to a stop before hitting the trees.

This avalanche likely failed on the early season snow. The snow we had early season has stayed relatively cold and faceted well on north aspects. The two big storms we have had recently, has stacked up on that weak layer. Heavy, substantial amount of weight, not bonded with the early season snow, waiting for a minor trigger to release it. Steeper slopes that have already naturally slid will hopefully shape up to be decently stable this year. The north aspects that are 35 degrees plus that have no signs of avalanching yet I would be VERY weary of. Do not ride anything around 35 degrees and steeper without expecting a slide, if it has not slid I would stay completely away. - Choose your terrain wisely

- Be observant of terrain traps that can turn a small slide into a DEEP burial.

- Avoid North facing- Bowls, drainages, and anything above tree line. It is showing considerable weakness and considerable risk. - That weak layer has potential to stay with us all season