Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: Just above treeline below Common Bowl

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Normal Tincan uptrack to treeline. Wind effect along the entire route. Snow surface stiffened as we gained elevation.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type0Aspect North
Elevation 2400ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown Depth 14inWidth 25ft
Vertical Run 50ft  
Avalanche Details

There were two avalanches in the area, one triggered just above us by a snowboard cutting across a wind loaded pocket. The other was triggered by skiers on a lower ridge (see photo). This avalanche was a wind slab running on small facets that formed during the cold snap prior to the recent storm. It was small but the chunks of debris were sizable.

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)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

Red flags observed: recent avalanches, recent new snow, recent wind loading and shooting cracks. We observed a snowboarder traverse a slope and send shooting cracks 15 ft below him. From a binocular observation at the road we discovered that slope had also slid from an additional rider through the area.

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

Lightly snowing
22F
SW winds, 10-15mph, gusts to 30mph

Snow surface

1000' - 4" of new snow with minor wind effect
1500' - 4-8" of wind stiffened snow
2000'- 2500' - Variable surface conditions ranging from wind scoured ridges to loaded gullies and deposition zones.

Snowpack

The areas of highest concern are slopes where fresh wind slabs are sitting on small facets that formed in the cold period prior to the recent storm. See photos and video

Photos & Video
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