Avalanche on Schallenberger Ridge

Location Name: 
Schallenberger Ridge North Gulley
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 03/10/2013 - 15:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 21.402" N, 120° 16' 51.222" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
dry,slab,
Slope: 
35degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
North
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
60ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
7 200ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
200ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

 This slide occurred on a windloaded slope near the top of a small gulley on Schallengerger ridge. The slide was triggered from a shallow windslab (approx 4in) and propagated nearly 60ft across into a much deeper slab. The slide stepped down to a second layer within the windslab but did not step down to any deeper layers. The bed surface was wind slab from the recent storm cycle. 

I was able to ski out never getting too close to the slide, but my partner and I  were, needless to say, a bit rattled. 

Here is the advisory for the day (which carried all the needed snowpack and avalanche information).
 
The clearest lesson that I took away from this experience comes back to things covered in my level 1 Avalanche Class: Human Factors. 
 
I stated before our first run that we should probably ski the less exposed terrain on the ridge because we knew there was a risk of wind slabs and persistent slabs in the area. When we got to the top of the path, I got carried away and skied a line that was very different from the one that I had suggested just minutes before. On that run everything felt stable and the turns were great. We made a second lap down a slightly different aspect and by the time we came up for our final lap it was the end of a very warm day. We didn't think twice about skiing the line that we'd skied on our first run. Whether it was the warm temperatures, the little hop that I made getting onto the slope, or just finding the right trigger point, it slid. All turned out well and it was a powerful reminder, but one that I hope not to repeat any time soon.
 
There are any number of things that could have avoided this happening. I could have stuck with the original plan. I could have made more of a point of explaining my reasoning to my partner who is a newer bc skier (who would then likely have questioned my quick change of heart upon seeing the delicious turns waiting down slope). I could have reassessed the line in light of the warm temperatures that the slope had seen throughout the day. But at that point we were in a bit of a rush to get back and didn't take the time to talk through these things. We should have. 
 
Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: