Avalanche

Taylor Fork, Sage Peak

Andrea BruckmeierSouthern Madison Range
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Quick report

We went into the Taylor Fork today to check out the avalanche(s) that were remotely triggered yesterday. 
Riding in, we spotted another small avalanche (D1.5) in Sunlight Basin along the ridgeline behind the reported avalanche from yesterday. 

We continued to investigate the crown at the remotely triggered avalanche near Sage Peak on December 23, which triggered another 6 avalanches further back in the valley. The avalanche released on a very poor weak layer of 6mm depth hoar/facets below a melt-freeze crust. 
The slab sitting on top is more than 8 feet deep in places, with an average thickness of approximately 3 ft. 
On our way back, we spotted another avalanche along the Sage Basin Ridgeline, that was likely triggered remotely either by us or by a group traveling behind us from about 300 ft away. The crown on that slide is about 8 ft deep at both ends.
That being said, the persistent weak layer is widespread in this area, and avalanches are breaking deep and wide and can be triggered, even from flat terrain.

We also observed, that winds are still transporting snow especially near ridges or open areas. 

The temperatures in lower elevations were in the 40s, and the snow was clearly melting on the road during the time we were out. 

Avalanche

Size
D2 R1
Type
HS
Count
2
Aspect
NE
Trigger
AM
Elevation
9200 ft

Either we or a group behind us triggered this persistent slab avalanche from ~300ft away. We observed it on our way back.