Pallavicini is a natural avalanche path. To be more precise, it is a complex of separate avalanche paths, which may run in any combination if not properly controlled.
There have been a number of tragic avalanche incidents on Pali, but I am focusing on one from 1974, because for several years I was a patrol trainee at A-Basin.
More than 40 inches of snow had fallen at the base area by November 23, 1974, accompanied by strong, gusty winds from November 20 to November 23. The Palivacinni had not yet been controled, and a SS-N-2 avalanche was observed on November 14 on Pali Face.
Around noon on the 23, three volunteer patrollers got permission from the Pro patrol director to do stabilization work on Pali, along with three patrol candidates.
The group skied into Pali along the top ridge. One of the patrollers and the three candidates dropped into Main Street and began side-stepping down the slope.
As they were side-stepping down, the slab fractured. The patroller and two of the candidates were able to ski or scramble to the edge of the avalanche, but one of the candidates lost his ski and was swept down the slope, disappearing 300 feet downslope where the avalanche entered Main Street gully.
Rescue was initiated immediately, with probe lines in the gully and further down where one of the victim's ski poles was found. He was found in the debris at the bottom of the runout. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
More information may be found in The Snowy Torrents, Avalanche Accidents in the United States 1972-79.
This run is rated double black diamond by Arapahoe Basin. Once you are in Pali, there are few (no?) good ways out, other than skiing the run. Please know your limits. The only reason this is not a T5 is because it not in the alleys or up on the East Wall! It should be accessible in the summer by hiking.
This cache description is not intended to scare anyone. Rather, it is intended to encourage respect. Respect for the mountain (Most of A-Basin, if not controlled from first snow on, is natural avalanche terrain. High speed lifts and grooming tend to make us forget that), and respect for the Professional and Volunteer Ski Patrollers who do everything possible to make a safe and enjoyable ski experience.
|
A-Basin Avalanches - Pallavicini
| Difficulty: 
| Terrain: 
7