We entered this terrain planning to ski cut. We saw cracking while booting to our objective, redirecting the path around slabby areas. We ski cut the upper chute. The wind slab we triggered cleared the upper chute and skier's left of the lower run. The ski cutter entered an island of safety midway, stopping above the uncleared snow. The 2nd rider stopped below the 1st.

The 3rd leapfrogged, entering the untouched slope, with the speed from the upper chute. It cracked above him with an 8 to 14 inch crown. It caught, carried, and briefly buried him. He grabbed a tree, dislocated his shoulder, and ended up on the surface. As the other two dropped to help, the upper skier triggered the remaining hangfire, which carried the lower rider. The slide stopped after 10-15 feet. Shoulder relocated, descended the rest of the way to Haiyaha, ascended Dream Ridge, and shredded out the dream chutes. Spirits were high, we were happy to be at the trailhead; a beer was drank, and we talked about our experience after.

The lower section often sheds while entering the island of safety, when in similar conditions. The leap frogging, the lack of a second ski cut, skiing(shredding) fast into uncleared terrain, and additional hangfire. We knew the terrain, we knew the conditions, we had a plan. We deviated with the leapfrog.

Route Description

Haiyaha couloir