Quick report
Corniced triggered slab avalanche likely from 3/11; North ridge of mt. Ben Stewart (Fred Meyer bowl) D3-R3.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 26
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Rain Elevation
- 0
- Recent Snowfall
- 0
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
OVC-SCT, No New precip over last 24hrs. L winds from NE.
Snowpack
Snowpack was 210cm at pit location. Aspect: 300. Slope angle 26 degrees. 30cm of recent storm snow from previous week. Slight hardness change 15-20cm down (F-4F-F.) Below recent storm snow was mostly hard melt freeze crusts with thin spaces of rounds in between crusts. Main layer of concern was 92cm down and was a 6cm layer of moist-wet grains (2mm) sandwiched between two 5-8cm thick knife hard melt freeze crusts. This layer is only a concern for large triggers as it is bridged by multiple firm layers and crusts. Temp gradient was quite small below surface layers. Below 30cms down only a 1 degree temp swing was observed.
Avalanche
- Size
- D3 R3
- Type
- C
- Aspect
- N
- Trigger
- NC
- Elevation
- 3250 ft
Likely cornice trigger from solar effect on 3/11. Unknown weak layer however a layer of loose wet grains was identified in the snowpack that could be a possible trigger. Debris was split into 2 lobes. most debris stopped at the bench mid bowl however some debris continued down the skiers right entrance ramp into Grand Central Gully and continued to the bottom of the chute.