Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: Sunburst

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Toured up towards Taylor Pass but turned around after conditions changed. Then skied S and W facing lines off Sunburst.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger NaturalRemote Trigger Unknown
Avalanche Type Soft SlabAspect North Northwest
Elevation 3700ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown DepthunknownWidth 50ft
Vertical Run 250ft  
Avalanche Details

Winds kicked up and we saw a sluff avalanche skiers right of Taylor Pass while touring up valley. Also saw recent sluffs on S face near weather station. On subsequent runs we saw 2 more recent sluff avalanches near Basketball run.

Red Flags
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Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Began tour in warm conditions with minimal wind. After passing Sunburst enroute to Taylor Pass the wind picked up and we started noticing small cracks near our skintrack. Shortly after that saw a small sluff avalanche near the pass. Later in the day while touring up Sunburst had a collapse on the ridge.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
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Weather

Wind in valley was steady teens with gusts in the 20s. Wind transport near the ridges was beginning to pick up by end of day.

Photos & Video
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