| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Hard Slab | Aspect | South Southwest |
| Elevation | 5800ft | Slope Angle | 40deg |
| Crown Depth | 6in | Width | unknown |
| Vertical Run | unknown |
Avalanche: Girdwood
Location: Raven Headwall
Skied down Raven headwall, raven glacier, out crow creek.
Avalanche Details
1st skier triggered hard slab at top of headwall on first turn, fracturing 15-20 feet above, entire width of headwall, 4 to 12 inches deep. Skier was carried and tumbled down 2/3 of slope. No injuries, not buried and no lost gear.
Before the avalanche everyone was fighting the cold weather. We had discussed a belay over the rollover and had the resources for it, but cold wind and a sick group member pushed our decision the faster way.
Observer Comments
Skiing out of crow pass to Girdwood multiple cracking wind slabs were observed.
Weather
Previous night winds were very strong. Snow was still being actively transported when group was about to ski.
Snow surface
Hard wind slab
Snowpack
1 member of group dug a pit at top of rollover into the headwall. Top layer of very wind effected storm slab was about 4" deep and gave ECTN 17 result on old crust. Below crust consistent 4F, ECTN 25+ 1.5' down.
Raven Headwall