We looked into the east chute of Lake Peak but found it too dangerous to put in a slope cut at the top. There was nowhere to hide - you were committed to the line. The northeast chute, however, offers some good potential for a slope cut. One of my partners that day - a long time snowsafety at a Class A ski resort in Montana - safely executed a slope cut at the top of the northeast chute and intentionally released the fresh wind slab. We had five in our group with a total of 60 years avalanche experience, a danger rated MODERATE for the day, and were dealing with a new soft wind slab - manageable conditions. The soft slab broke 6-2' deep and 125' wide, running 700' to the flats below.
In looking at the picture below, you can see where he skied from right to left in intentionally release the slab and duck in there beneath he cliffband. Of course this type of thing is commonplace for a ski patroller of 15 years - or other snow professionals under these circumstances. We knew the avalanche we were dealing with - and it was not a hard slab, deep slab or dealing with a persistent grain type.
Of great interest, however, was the loud whoomph at the bottom of the slope. After the avalanche had run its course 700' to the flats, the fourth skier down to the debris triggered a very loud, widely propagating Deep Slab collapse. Probing had the rain crust buried there 6-9' deep.
Tilt and compression tests indicate density breaks about a foot down, but anticipate a quick heal with these temps.
Greenhousing and temps had dampened north facing snow up to and over 9000' on north facing.
Crusts on all but steeper north allowed for face shots that would bloody your lip. quote by Scott Simper -
