Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | 0 |
Avalanche Type | Hard Slab | Aspect | South |
Elevation | 3000ft | Slope Angle | 28deg |
Crown Depth | 3ft | Width | 70ft |
Vertical Run | 300ft |
Standard approach to 4068, skinned up low angle S/SE ridge. All parties members felt numerous whumpfing. No significant natural avalanche activity noted.
Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | 0 |
Avalanche Type | Hard Slab | Aspect | South |
Elevation | 3000ft | Slope Angle | 28deg |
Crown Depth | 3ft | Width | 70ft |
Vertical Run | 300ft |
Skiier was descending low angle slope then rolled over a steeper 25-30 degree convexity. The skiier did not feel or hear any snow movement until coming to a stop approximately 50 feet below the crown and saw the snow moving slowly down the slope. He quickly traversed to safe position as the avalanche gained mass and speed, running to further to the valley floor. No one caught or carried.
Crown profile was not completed, but the crown appeared to vary significantly in thickness from less than 1 foot to at approximately three feet. The avalanche slid to the ground.
Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Whumpfing. Debris seen on northern aspect on much steeper terrain.
Recent snowfall from the day prior. Mostly sunny, light to no wind.
Settled powder in area of concern. Wind slab pockets on the ridge.
No formal tests conducted. Snowpack structure was noted to be generally poor with storm snow on top of firm crust with facets underneath.