Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: Goldpan

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Toured up Bertha Creek towards Goldpan. Snowing heavily in the AM, before rapidly clearing and becoming mostly sunny.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Dry Loose SnowAspect South
Elevation 3000ftSlope Angle 37deg
Crown Depth 12inWidth 100ft
Vertical Run 100ft  
Avalanche Details

Sort of walking the line between D1/R1 soft slab and a big sluff, triggered from above on a small but steep rollover.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

The avalanche reported here was soft and unconsolidated snow. However, on a higher and more exposed ridgeline, the snow had more of a wind slab character with 20' radius shooting cracks and audible collapses.

There were also dry snow avalanches present in steep terrain over all aspects.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

30 cm of moderate density new snow at all elevations. Intermittent light breeze.

Snow surface

New storm snow.

Snowpack

Moderate density (surprisingly heavy) new snow on top of surface facets on top of the strong base. We did not dig a pit or perform formal stability tests. However, the instability at the new snow interface was obvious both from observations of natural slides and switchback cuts, pole probing, etc.

Photos & Video
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