Avalanche

Avalanche: Fairview Canyon

Brett KobernikSkyline
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Avalanche

Slab Width
24 m
Weak Layer
Density Change
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
12 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
25 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Start Zone Elevation
2499 m

I spotted a couple of natural avalanches that released during the storm on Thursday. These were on very steep slopes above the creek. I've found that these are good "indicator paths" that often will release naturally giving good information about snow stability. After seeing these avalanches and getting onto the snow on skis, I noted a slight density inversion within the newer snow. It appeared to be lower density powder from Monday with higher density snow from this storm on top of it. I was experiencing localized cracking around my skis also. This all adds up to an unstable new snow situation.