Our party broke trail up Pink Pine Ridge to Rainbow Peak. Snow felt very stable until we reached the ridge where some windblown snow was coated with a layer of graupel. From the ridge we set the remaining boot pack to the top of rainbow peak. Along the way, the top 4 inches of new snow showed signs of instability (cracking, blocking) on the windward side of the ridge. Knowing there would be a good chance of a wind slab over graupel on Rainbow Peak chute I cut the top of the slope. This cut released an avalanche that slide the entire length of the chute. After cutting the slope I entered a island of safety to the right of the slope as the avalanche passed by. Only once the slide settled did I continue cautiously to the bottom.

I think this episode shows the importance of identifying zones of safety before riding through avalanche terrain and cutting the top of a slope before entering the terrain below. While zones of safety and slope cuts are NOT a solution in avalanche terrain they do play a small part in mitigating risks. Please ride safely out there.