Sheep Creek Basin
Not a particularly attractive area for skiing, this zone is marked to present a learning opportunity to backcountry travelers. In 2013, 5 skiers and snowboarders were killed in an avalanche here as they attempted to traverse across the lower part of this face. They remotely triggered a slide from up above them that caught the entire group. YOUR ROUTE SELECTION ON THE WAY UP IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS ON THE WAY DOWN. This backcountry group, although experienced, chose to cross under a loaded N-NE facing slope on their way up Mt. Sniktau. Here is the avalanche report from 04/20/2013 - http://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/acc/acc_report.php?accfm=inv&acc_id=505 It’s important to evaluate the terrain above you when you’re in the backcountry. You can remotely trigger an avalanche from below, or you can have one brought down on you by skiers or riders who dropped in above you. One bad decision can cost the lives of you or your entire group. No disrespect is intended towards our brothers who lost their lives up there that day. We owe it to them to learn from their mistakes and try our best not to repeat them.
Maps
*All Mapped Areas are Approximations
Avalanche Reports
12/28/2017 - (Multiple Reports)
02/07/2015 - (Sheep Creek Basin)
Images
Sheep Creek Basin
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*All Mapped Areas are Approximations