Skier triggered avalanche pit profile. Orca 3-22-12
Observation: Girdwood
Location: Orca North face
This skier triggered avalanche happened sometime last week. We were able to identify buried
surface hoar as the problem weak layer. In pit tests, the structure showed moderate strength
but the possibility to propagate and avalanche given the right trigger. The shears were clean
and fast.
This weak layer has been seen over a large region and up to high elevations.