From an email: "North east facing slope. Wind Loaded. Snow pit dug showed signs of propagating fractures. The rider was told not to ride the slope but opted to give it a shot. Slope broke about 20 feet above the rider halfway up the slope, then fractured at the top after the slide started. Crown was between 3 and 8 feet deep, 150 feet wide at the top but fractured in the trees as well. The slide broke on the facets near the ground." Photo: