Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: Tincan Trees

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Snowpack observations day with the Alaska Avalanche School, we had snowshoers so did a nice tour down low heading North at the base of Tin Can Trees. Saw two small D1 storm slab avalanches failing on the most recent buried surface hoar 30 cms down next to ski tracks; so either naturals during the storm cycle or remote triggered by skiers on a 38 degree last pitch coming out of Tincan Trees at 1400 ft on a West aspect.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger NaturalRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Soft SlabAspect West
Elevation 1400ftSlope Angle 38deg
Crown Depth 12inWidth 20ft
Vertical Run 20ft  
Avalanche Details

No tracks lead into these small D1 avalanches, but there were ski tracks right next to them: so either remote or natural. One was 15 ft wide crown that ran 20 ft, the other was 25 ft wide crown that ran about 25 ft. It was storm snow soft slab on a very pronounced and intact buried surface hoar (see photos from the pit)

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)?No
Observer Comments

Tromped around meadow looking for whoomphing and could get none. None of the AAS three groups had any other obvious signs of instability besides these 2 small avalanches in my group.

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

Lightly snowing all day long, winds were calm at lower elevation. Visibility was not possible to the upper elevations. Temps were high teens to low 20s.

Snow surface

POWDER! Fresh snow! Little stellar dendrites happy pow.

Snowpack

Performed four ECTS at the same elevation and aspect as the two avalanches. ECTX (2), ECTN27down30 on BSH, ECTP13 down 30 on BSH. CT12 simultaneous down 30 on BSH,down 125 on basal facets.

Photos & Video
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