| Trigger | Natural | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Soft Slab | Aspect | South |
| Elevation | 2000ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | 12in | Width | 80ft |
| Vertical Run | 200ft |
Avalanche:
Location: Spencer Bench Cabin
Placer overflow parking lot to Squirrel Flats to Spencer Bench Cabin
Avalanche Details
Soft slab triggered remotely from the ridge (we think). Appeared to be relegated to the storm snow (~12"). Minimal wind loading on this slope. SS-AM-R1D1-I
Triggered one other very small (~6") slab on a small test slope. Similar elevation/ aspect.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
Saw a couple of other shallow, fresh wind slabs in very steep, alpine terrain below corniced ridge above Comet Glacier. Significant flagging on ridges from NW winds this morning.
Weather
~12" new snow above 700'. Sunny and warm. Moderate to strong winds from the NW this morning. Fortunately the wind subsided around 1pm.
Snow surface
~12" new snow on supportable crust above 700' Crust is semi-supportable in Placer Valley, fat bike would be a challenge until we see some cooler temps.
Snowpack
No formal stability tests but did a lot of shoveling at the Spencer Bench Cabin. HS= 175cm at 1900'.
We found the MLK buried surface hoar about 50cm down.
Significant flagging on Tuesday morning, SE aspect of Wolverine. Above the Placer Valley.
D1 storm slab at 2000' above the Spencer Bench Cabin. Likely triggered by two sledders on the ridge.
Close up of the above photo.
Small test slope. ~6" wind slab.
Evidence of a large avalanche above the gut leading into Squirrel Flats. Debris made it to the top of the Canyon but Canyon is not filled in.
Spencer Bench Cabin is open for business! Reservations for this spring available at www.recreation.gov