We decided to exit Cutler Ridge on low angle terrain to finish out a good day. Our plan was to traverse from the low angle terrain over to the ridge line and follow the ridge to the exit. The traverse portion would expose us for a short time with lower consequence. We came to the first path a little too low, exposing us to more of the slope than we expected. When we got there, my partner asked if this was still a good idea. She said the slope seemed wind loaded, rather than skin back up the 250 ft and traverse over a small distance we decided to traverse the slope where we were, one at a time. When she was about 5 feet onto the slope, I told her she needed to point more down hill to get momentum. The second she did I heard a very loud crack (this was not a whumpf). The slope shattered about 150 feet above her. I could see the crown line propagate down slope about 5 feet in front of me and then run another 200ft down slope. I screamed GO GO GO! She pointed down hill and started pole planting to get off the slope as it shattered around her. Thankfully, she was able to ski off the slope. It was a close call riddled with classic heuristic traps.

Here's what she had to say:

I unintentionally triggered an avalanche. Me, the wimpy, very cautious, low-risk person I am. After a great day of skiing with seeing some signs of instability but being unable to produce any movement or slides. We had seen a small slide in an ENE aspect under a rock band on the way up to our final descent. Upon reaching the before-mentioned traverse, I was tired and ready to get home. The light was getting a little flat at that moment, but still as I came around the corner and saw some signs of definite wind loading I became instantly nervous. Knowing myself and how easily I tend to get spooked, I asked my partner if this was still a good idea. He had no concerns as this is a slope we have skied many times and we’ve never seen run (I know, heuristic traps all around). I decided, I must just be overreacting and chose to trust my partner’s observations and go for the traverse instead of making us both skin up and around the ridge line. My partner reminded me to go fast and not stop for any reason which I dually noted. As I started out onto the slope, he suggested I angle more downhilll to get more speed across the exposed terrain. As I pointed more downhill, I felt a slight whumpf and my partner screamed at me to go, go, go! I knew instantly from his tone that I must have triggered an avalanche and was in immediate danger. As I skied as fast as I could using my poles and all the gusto I could muster, I glanced over my left shoulder at the snow moving downhill toward me. I was lucky, I made it to the safe zone without being caught, carried, or even feeling the snow moving under me. My partner later informed me that as the slide ripped out it sounded like a gunshot and the snow under my skis was, in fact starting to move. My takeaway is to listen to my gut and trust my instincts. I have a tendency to get nervous and choose to be overly cautious in most situations, especially in avalanche terrain. As such, I have learned to lean on the opinions and experience of others a bit too much, especially when touring with people I know so well and trust. Also, side note: Hats off to the small group that stopped and checked on us from the safety of the ridge-line. We are all accepting risks by going in to the backcountry and it’s important that we all be aware and have each others’ backs.

Additional photo (below) provided by John M. who had the following comments:

"Overall today leading up to this we saw far fewer obvious signs of instability than anticipated, but certainly had a skeptical eye to the snowpack. In areas with all new snow the storm snow appeared to be bonding fairly well to the crust. I suspect that some areas had a bit of snow on top of the crust which turned into facets. Super glad everyone was okay."