Collapse and Wind Effect in Absarokas

As we were skinning up a north facing slope on Knowles Peak, a roughly 20 by 20 foot section of the slope collapsed beneath our feet. We were on a slope steep enough to slide and it didn't, but we took that as a clear sign of instability and skied down. We then went up the south side of Arrow, mostly on mellower terrain before gaining the east ridge, and continued up. 400 feet from the summit we encountered a very steep, wind affected pitch, and decided not to continue up. We skied down the south gully, mostly in the trees and avoiding wide open slopes. South and east facing aspects were certainly heating up throughout the day and the ski down was hot pow.