Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 40°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 15 m
- Weak Layer
- New Snow/Old Snow Interface
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 36 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Intentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2896 m
Snow rates up to 2+ in/hr at times throughout the day and consistent moderate winds from the WNW.
Expectedly, walking ridges ski-triggered many sensitive wind-affected storm slabs that propagated 20-60 ft. in starting zones over ~34 degrees. They exist on many NE, E, SE aspects but as of today were isolated to the tops of this area’s ridges (lee side). These slides sympathetically released other adjacent pieces with similar characteristics. Very soft and broke apart soon after initial fracture, most 10-16” deep and running until slope angle lessened to the low 30s. Also noted naturals from early in morning storm.
With continued W winds, these ridgeline slabs will stiffen and develop into more of a hazard. With enough wind they’ll become less predictable/manageable as they connect laterally and lose their triggering sensitivity.
We also found poor structure in the thin and rocky areas, isolated cracking to near-ground layers on slopes with S elements, and were surprised by one large collapse on ridgetop triggered from a rocky area.
Natural on Todd’s Bowl from earlier in the precip window