Avalanche

Avalanche: Rolfson

Brett KobernikSkyline
View on map

Avalanche

Slab Width
91 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Snowmobiler
Vertical Fall
122 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
107 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3139 m

Trigger is not confirmed but very much appears to be a snowmobile triggered avalanche judging by the tracks. There is a slight chance that after the riders were on the slope, it released naturally later on with additional wind loading. However, the tracks and the debris appear to have about the same amount of wind drifted snow on them. My money is on a sled trigger.

These avalanches are now to the point where they are very dangerous. We finally have added enough snow to them where they are breaking to the ground.