This accident is a grim reminder that even in summer avalanches can still threaten the visitors to steep, high-elevation slopes. Though that accident was unwitnessed the avalanche is suspected to have been caused when a portion of the cornice collapsed onto the steep snow slope the victim was climbing. It was the 20th avalanche fatality in the US this season. Safety Tip Summertime climbers and skiers should avoid shallow, wet snow even at the high elevations. Even on big snowfields extra care is needed along the snowfield's margins where the snow is shallow.
Shallow snow tends to be less dense or compacted, so it is also weaker.
During the summer, melting further weakens the snow. In a shallow summer snow cover the melt water quickly saturates the snow and also quickly lubricates potential sliding layers such as rock, dirt or grass. Fresh snow on old snow should also not be trusted for the same reasons as mentioned above. Melting will quickly weaken the new snow and the water will quickly lubricate the hard icy, old snow below. Six were buried and killed.