Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: Sunburst

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Sunburst up to 3,700′

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type0Aspect South
Elevation 3700ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown Depth 10inWidth 80ft
Vertical Run 2000ft  
Avalanche Details

SS-ASu/C-R2-D3-O
While skinning up Sunburst ridge we triggered a large cornice collapse. The cornice itself triggered a shallow soft/wet slab and entrained wet loose snow along the way to the valley floor. Warm temps helped to make this cornice very unstable. The largest cornice chunk was approx. 20x20'.

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

Glide/wet avalanches on S side of Tincan (see photos).

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

Warm, above freezing
Calm wind
Occasional light rain

Snow surface

Wet up to 3,600'. More damp on North. Advanced MF grains 3,200' and below.
Glide avalanche releases on the South side of Tincan ridge (see photos)

Snowpack

We focused on surface conditions today. Wet snow with ski penetration no greater than 6".

Photos & Video
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