We skinned to the top of Reynolds on the east ridge. As we approached the top, the snow was noticeably wind-affected. From the top, we skied the south side of the peak on the west ridge. This ridge was about 25 degrees in steepness and the safest option for descent. The first two skiers descended one at a time along the ridge. They described the snow on the east side of the ridge as pillowy and wind-loaded. Every time they felt one of these pillows they veered west. The third skier skied on top of their tracks and the avalanche released at 9000 feet and propagated up another 50 feet and over onto the slope about 100 feet. No one was caught. The last skier and I were still at the top of the ridge and watched the slope release. It ran about 800 feet and took out the entire snow pack, which was basically just 1.5-2 feet of new snow. This was easily a size 3 avalanche. We had skied SE aspects in Bear Trap Fork earlier in the day and had some settling on a 15 degree slope, but no snow movement. We didn't ski anything over 30 degrees today. When we were on Reynolds, the south face was probably around 35 or a little steeper and we decided not to ski it. The low angle ridge was a good choice, but the east side of the ridge connected to the main slope was an easy trigger. The rest of the ski out was bushy, but under 30 degrees.

Abraham Emond - pic w/crown drawn in