Cathedral, Colorado – A backcountry skier triggered several avalanches while descending the Black Pearl couloir, CAIC reports, narrowly avoiding being swept off his feet.

Observers recorded three fractured slabs within the couloir. Each slab appeared heavily loaded with snow below large rock outcrops on the rider’s right side, likely formed by powerful spindrifts transporting snow.

The skier ascended along the left side of the couloir, where no signs of slab development or instability were noted. “Maybe ‘snuck by’ in the upper reaches of the couloir better applies,” the report said, describing how the skier avoided the worst of the slabs.

Despite attempts to stay toward the center or left alongside the booter, the slabs were easily triggered. Each slab grew larger as the skier descended, with the third and final slab releasing into the lower half of the line. Following this, the remainder of the couloir had been cleared of almost all storm snow, making the descent uneventful by comparison.

The skier’s careful route along the Cathedral summer trail and awareness of the terrain likely prevented serious injury during the incident.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download