Avalanches at Blue Lakes

Awesome day in the Blue Lakes area with the SAC Motorized Level 1 Class.  We started  off by testing lee aspects slopes on the way out to our first location. We had two 18” wind slabs release around 8500 ft. We came across similar natural wind slab avalanches near and above tree line that likely occurred within the last few hrs.  

After our first failed wind loaded test slope, we decided to reduce our exposure. We spent the rest of the day riding low consequence slopes and testing short, steep slopes on lee aspects.

Weather was sunny until noon then intermittent periods of S-1 snowfall throughout the day.  Wind speeds were stronger than forecasted. Observed large cornices on lee aspects throughout the day