Natural point release near Ralston

Slide occured on a S slope with 3-6" of new snow plus a localized additional 6" from crossloading SW winds the prior day and evening. Rapid warming showed small rollers below cornice growing in number and size prior to triggering a wet/loose slide. Slide quickly widened to 100' before funneling into a 25' path. Slide was slow moving and witnessed by three skiers climbing adjacent to path. As it passed them the slide slowed and stopped on a bench after running (more like walking really) approximately 1200'. Debris was approximately 4' deep, 25' wide, and 150' long. Previous skiers had climbed directly below the cornice and their skin track was erased by the slide. The slide occurred in an area that is well known for avalanche activity, thus the name The Avalanche Path, but does not see much activity on a regular basis. Previous debris flows have stopped on this bench while others have made it to the base of the slope. Lessons learned; 1) don't climb in harm's way, 2) start early when slope will experience rapid warming (wet slides happen!), 3) have a plan in place for when bad things happen. Less important was getting your cell phone out to get video before the slide stops, not as it is stopping :) It was quite a site as it moved past us. Leaving the area we saw a lot of sluff slides on sunny slopes throughout the area.