| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | No |
| Avalanche Type | Wet Slab | Aspect | North Northeast |
| Elevation | 3400ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | 20in | Width | 70ft |
| Vertical Run | 400ft |
Avalanche: Chugach State Park
Location: The Nipple
Springtime skiing in the South Fork Eagle River area. Started from trailhead, and ascended via Hunter Pass, ridge line, to “The Nipple”.
We were on the peak around 2:30pm, and nearby Arctic Valley’s station was reading 21F. The snow in the gully skied surprisingly well, a wet kind of powder as we were descending. I suspect the wind had loaded the gully with this weeks fresh snow, on top of a harder frozen layer that acted as the bed surface.
Avalanche Details
Snowboarder 1 started from The Nipple, riding along the ridge line and off a cornice which had been checked for instability on approach. Snowboarder 1 then entered the bowl and rode approximately 1000ft down slope and waited in a safe zone to spot Skier 1. Skier 1 followed a similar line, slightly higher, but at approximately 3400ft elevation triggered a medium sized soft wet slab avalanche. Snowboarder 1 called avalanche as Skier 1 turned hard skier’s right, to the safety of exposed ground on the spur. Partners consolidated in the safe zone at bottom of run and skied to South Fork Hiland Road trailhead.
Observer Comments
Strong winds and temperature rise.
Weather
Wind coming from the South, sustained at 17mph on ridge, 30mph gusts. Sunny and warm in the trees.
Snow surface
Variable conditions on most of approach and ridge, however, in the bowl itself, wet powder.
Snowpack
No formal pit conducted.
Taken from Hiland Road.