Avalanche

Avalanche: Lake Peak

Bill NalliSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
39°

Avalanche

Slab Width
152 m
Weak Layer
Depth Hoar
Trigger Type
Natural
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
122 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3231 m

This slide on the NE aspect of Lake Peak likely occurred on Jan 6 or 7 at the end of the last big storm cycle. Most of the path has just a few inches of snow on top of the bed surface and I could not find any old faceted snow left where I dug near the crown. Portions of the path on the skiers right have much more snow reloaded since it slid highlighting the variability in HS.

Pic 1 Lake Peak NE face

Pic 2 skiers left with just a few inches of new snow and a weakening snow surface

Pic 3 center and skiers left over 1 meter of new windblown snow

Other notable avalanches that occurred likely during the cycle prior to Jan 6 were seen on the N aspect of Lake Peak at 10,500', 400' wide (pic 1), and on a NE aspect above the Dog Dish at 10,000', 400' wide (pic 2). A bit hard to pick out in the photos but crowns were clearly visible below the cliff bands.