Prior To Scout Patrol Avalanche

Bryan, ascending a steep slope northwest of Scout Patrol Peak, only a few minutes before we got caught in an avalanche that originated on the snow-covered forest road higher up. In a bizarre event, our footsteps on the road basically shattered rime ice that had formed a virtual icy "web" on the roadway which we did not see because it had been covered by a thin blanket of fresh powder snow. The shattering of the covered rime ice layer triggered the avalanche.

I marked this photo with our general ascent route and labeled the object(s) that at least I hit while sliding in the avalanche. Fortunately, the avalanche was not deep, and neither of us were hurt other than a couple of minor bruises.

Photo taken on January 1, 2012.