12/03/2018
Fact: Steep, wind-loaded terrain frequently slides/avalanches in Vermont and throughout the Northeast, when the right conditions are present...This is a very good reminder. Before you venture into exposed steep terrain, or in range of the slides this terrain can produce, please understand the factors that contribute to heightened avalanche risk in the mountains...
Made the mistake of forgetting that avalanches can and do occur in Vermont.
Today we triggered a 1-2’ thick slab that propagated across the chute we were dropping into. It proceeded to gain speed and energy through a few chokes as it pulled out more pockets and gouged deeper into old snow. It ran for 1300 vertical feet with an impressive powder cloud before pilling up 4-6’ deep in a large debris pile about 150 feet short of crossing rt. 108. (R3, D2)
Many mistakes were made that led us to the top of the chute without any avy gear and without fully considering possible risks and consequences.
I am super grateful that nobody was hurt from our group, that there were no other groups in the area that could have been hit, and that we were able to get a serious wake up call without injury.
Looking back, had I been more aware of the avalanche hazard, I would have rated the day at high danger dropping to considerable through the afternoon. I skinned up the debris field just now and there were numerous natural slide debris piles in nearly every slide path in the Notch. Having taken the lift up in the morning we completely missed these obvious signs.
