General Observations

Saw a large natural wind slab avalanche on Hippie Ridge.  Avalanche released at about 4000' and ran approximately 1500' . R2.5-D2.5, crown was about 150 meters wide.  What was notable about this slide was that it appears to have stepped down about 300' below the initial crown.  Step down was most likely to the persistent weak layer "buried surface hoar". Across the road at small creek experienced lots of shooting cracks in the pencil hard wind slab that was 6-12 inches thick.  Also experienced some significant whumpfs.