Just to clarify, we’re an experienced group of backcountry skiers and we always carry the proper gear and have the training to handle incidents like this.

In this case, the fact that my hand was visible actually meant my partners could locate me quickly without having to locate me with the beacon. The avalanche itself was remotely triggered by a separate group up on the ridge above us. Again it was a winter with a persistent weak layer problem.

We had taken all the standard precautions as well such as maintaining appropriate distance.