Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 762 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Vertical Fall
- 274 m
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 183 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3536 m
This massive avalanche occurred sometime between Thursday (3/7) afternoon and Friday (3/8) night. It occurred after snow containing about 3 inches of water fell in the previous week. Strong W and SW winds loaded this slope which meant snow containing about 6 inches of water had been added to this slope prior to this slide.
On average it maybe had a 6 ft thick slab. The crown face was 10+ feet deep in many places.
We were working in the area on Friday and observed very strong winds drifting snow at the trailhead. We discovered this avalanche on Saturday morning.