| Trigger | Natural | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | 0 | Aspect | South |
| Elevation | 2700ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | unknown | Width | 80ft |
| Vertical Run | 80ft |
Avalanche: Turnagain
Location: Sunburst
Sunburst up to 3,400′
Avalanche Details
This avalanche occurred in the early to mid afternoon and was either remotely triggered or natural. See photo.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
2 avalanches occurred on the South side of Tincan, one at 2,700' - D2, and one at 3,500' - D1. Multiple collapses between 2,300-2,600 small to medium in estimated size.
Weather
Sunny skies, warm temps, calm wind, no precip
Snow surface
1,000'-2,500' - surface refreeze of 6" overnight, with melting during the day
2,500'-3,400' - mostly dry surface with South aspects producing small roller balls late in the day
Snowpack
We dug in 4 locations along Sunburst ridge. High variability was found in pits. The underlying surface was mapped prior to the March 16th storm and showed mostly firm wind affected surfaces along Sunburst ridge. In these locations bonding between the St Patty’s slab and the old wind crusts/slabs was good (pits 2, 3, & 4). In areas we mapped that had facets prior to the Mar 16 storm bonding was not as good and tests showed moderate strength and high propagation potential (pit 1). Slab thickness varied and ranged between 30cm and 75 cm.
Pit 1 - 2,500’ SW - 55cm slab - see pit profile
Pit 2 - 2,900’ WNW - 40cm wind slab
Pit 3 - 3,100’- SW - 75 cm slab
Pit 4 - 3,400’ - S - 30 cm slab
Avalanche either remotely or naturally triggered - 2,700' S aspect Tincan
Same avalanche as above with view of Common Bowl above
Wet loose avalanche appeares to have triggered this smaller slab avalanche around 3,500' below Tincan Proper
Slab that released naturally in Hippy Bowl (Tincan) likely on 3-19
Low quality photo of natural release on lower Wolverine, likely on 3-19
Profile of pit at 2,500' which showed the most unstable snow of the day