The Smuts-Fist Col was the site of a tragic backcountry ski accident in February of 2006 resulting in the death of an experienced local skier. Remnants of the skier triggered 3.5 dry slab, 1300’ wide and 3300’ long, avalanche were quite evident on July 5, 2006 as I made my approach to Mount Smuts among the debris. This was a failure going down to the October rain crust. I set off a
similar sized event just weeks later, one valley over.