Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: SW slope on "Eddies "

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Whilst atop tincan common & only moments after discussing with another recreationist how wild glide cracks were in the area, I stared at this looming glide to my north. “Matt” had just skied off & I began to hear noises as if a glacier was calving so I fumbled for my phone to take a picture. I could see a large hanging piece of slab buckle & obvious cracking textures appear on it. Phone went back in pocket & soon a chunk came roaring down the steep slope hitting & moving other pieces of this whole feature. Yet more moving of the entire slab commenced & 3 minutes later an even bigger, more violent pocket gave out, it tumbled & remained intact for a few seconds then disintegrated with the rest of the debris at the bottom. Quite a spectacle!

Avalanche Details
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Trigger NaturalRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Wet SlabAspect Southwest
Elevation 2700ftSlope Angle 50deg
Crown Depth8ftWidth 40ft
Vertical Run 45ft  
Avalanche Details

Glide crack chunks released on two occasions 3 minutes apart, both at hot sunshiny SW aspect, apart of the same glide crack pocket. Could see the larger slab crinkle upon itself as it moved & could hear glacial noises coming from it as it crept.

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 cracks

Weather & Snow Characteristics
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Weather

31F no wind, sunshine becoming overcast, no new snow

Snow surface

Hoar frost from highway to 2000' then faceting to top of common bowl.

Photos & Video
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