I was in upper West Porter Fork, when my party and I got to the bottom of the head wall and noticed a fresh avalanche that was not there yesterday. The avalanche was 300 ft wide 2-3 ft deep and ran pretty far taking out a few tracks from yesterday.

Not sure if this avalanche was a natural or triggered remotely by the party that pushed the up track up the head wall early this morning. Possibly this was the party that was caught in a avalanche in West Porter area. This was not the avalanche that caught and buried someone one I think. The avalanche that I took a picture of might be the slide the party was caught in but, I searched the bed surface looking for tracks and also looked up at the crown and saw no tracks. However, this is all speculation on my part.

This was the up track that was covered by either a natural or remotely triggered slide. In the forecast this morning Drew mentioned to be wise in terrain choices and the best tool for avoiding avalanches is to stay off slopes approaching 32 degrees and steeper. This up track went straight up the head wall on a slope that was easily steeper than 35 degrees and was loaded up with plenty of new snow.

I also saw many other backcountry travelers punching lines steeper than 35 degrees and it was a miracle that only one person took a ride. SLOW DOWN PEOPLE. THE HILL WE BE THERE NEXT YEAR........ WILL YOU?

I decided not to ski anything steeper than 30 degrees.