Cornice triggered slide

Cornice triggered slide

Located in the S. Madison near Beaver Creek, this avalanche was triggered by a cornice drop. It broke about 150 feet wide, up to 5 feet deep (averaged 2-3 feet).  The cornices pulled back onto shallower angeled terrain, a dangerous but common occurrence with cornices.  The avalanche released all the windblown snow on the leeward slide and funneled it down a steep, narrow gully;  a likely unsurvivable ride.  Photo: GNFAC

Southern Madison, 2011-03-06