When the fake "buyer" of the Climbing Business tells Kristin the avalanche that 'killed' Andy was an "R3" she reacts like it's the worst possible scenario. U.S. / Canadian (ie world-wide standards) for avalanches use a 2-part system, rating both Destructive Force and Size of an event. Force covers a range of D1-D5 (very small to landscape destroying) and Size is noted by a range of R1- R5, based on the area affected. So, the answer he gave Kristin is incorrect in format and incomplete in information. He didn't tell her how heavy it was, and an R3 slide would be of 'medium' width, relative to the path it took. Not a cataclysm at all, and one that might have been dodged by the climbers in its path. To get her to react in horror as she did, and give up all hope of Andy returning, he might've said it was a D4/R5, which would be of a size expected to take out a substantial amount of trees, and to be of inescapable breadth.