Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 91 m
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Start Zone Aspect
- Southwest
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3414 m
This was an "almost avalanche".
We spotted cracks across much of the slope telling me that a weak layer about 4-5 feet deep fractured following the March 12/13 storm. The slope just wasn't steep enough to slide. But this is significant because it shows that a weak layer of facets exists on southerly aspects as well. The photo below was tweaked to show the cracks on the slope better. Just under the trees the crack opened about a foot. Cracks on other parts of the slope are a little harder to see. Cracks covered the entire slope.
Here a video of that weak layer breaking in a stability test on March 9th on the nearby Goldminers run (S facing, 11,600 feet).