Two male ski tourers were ascending the Big Springs drainage. About 2.7 miles from the parking lot they started to divert off the main trail and ascend toward a ridge. They were making switchbacks up a slope when they triggered an avalanche. The avalanche propagated about 300 feet above them. One skier was able to grab a tree and avoid taking the ride which the other skier did. He took about a 300 foot ride and was strained through some aspens and completely buried near the toe. His partner who did not go for a ride located him with an avalanche transceiver and dug him out from under about 4 feet of snow. He was uninjured and they were able to return to the parking lot on their own.

A couple of things to note here. This accident occurred during the heaviest snowfall. It demonstrates how avalanche conditions can spike during times of high precipitation intensity.

If you choose to travel in the backcountry during periods of high danger it is imperative that you travel on ridges where there is no avalanche terrain above you. Drainage bottoms and any steep slopes should be avoided. The slope that these skiers were ascending was not all that intimidating. However, even the most unassuming slopes can be lethal during a violent storm like was occurring.