Jan 2 Whoomph!! Soft Slab ONP Hurricane

I set off a soft slab this morning on my way out to Hurricane Hill as I skied the ridge crest  to avoid steep and icy.  I heard the foreboding whoomph and witnessed a soft slab take off below me into the trees. It fractured on the leeward (northeast) side of the ridge down to the hardpack, maybe 1 1/2 foot thickness extending 20 or so yards north and south of me below the cornices. If I had been 5 feet further to the east I would have been in the zone and going for a ride.

Although the slide wasn't long it could easily have taken me into a tree well without a trace. It's amazing how fast that snow moves!

Be careful out there!

DH