Avalanche

Avalanche: Two Dogs

Gagne/JohnstonSalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
6 m
Weak Layer
Depth Hoar
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
30 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
41 cm
Trigger Detail
Remotely Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3048 m

We came across this fresh avalanche when ascending Two Dogs. We noticed ski tracks above the crown and it seems the avalanche was triggered remotely by the skier and likely occurred sometime during the day on 1/30. This slope had avalanched on January 3 and we found the snowpack to be shallow, 30-45 cms (12-18") deep, and entirely faceted with depth hoar, with a old wind slab that formed from a wind event sometime last week.

Ordinarily, such as small avalanche wouldn't be note-worthy, but given the likelihood it was triggered remotely and that it failed in facets and depth hoar on a slope that had previously avalanched, it is significant as the snowpack is showing how touchy it is on slopes that have previously avalanched. With a storm and strong winds forecast beginning Friday night, Jan 31, avalanches may run to the ground on these repeater slopes.