Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 18 m
- Weak Layer
- Density Change
- Trigger Type
- Snowboarder
- Vertical Fall
- 61 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 15 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northwest
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3109 m
Snowboard triggered slide occurred yesterday just before Craig got to this area with a class. This spot in Martha Bowl in the rocks is like a catcher's mitt for any wind blown snow.
This slab was resting on low density, broken snow flakes. The debris wasn't deep enough to bury a person. This snowboarder was not caught and you can see their tracks exiting high lookers left of the slide then traversing back.
Fairly straight-forward and predictable hazard, but even a small slab in steep, sustained terrain could knock you off your feet and take you for an unplanned ride down the slope. Not a big slide, but this piece of snow was definitely packing some heat as observed by the surprising amount of debris and vertical fall.