Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 15 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Vertical Fall
- 76 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 41 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Southeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2347 m
Notes from UAC/SBSP:
We observed one skier triggered avalanche on a southeast facing aspect in the Toilet Bowl region of Hells Canyon. This avalanche was skier triggered at 7700'. This avalanche ran on small grained facets above a melt-freeze crust. This avalanche broke above the skier. This avalanche is similar to some others that we've seen recently in wind-protected areas where there was enough time before the last storm for small facets to develop and be preserved on top of the crust.
Notes from Eric Whiting:
There is a hard solar baked layer about 16" under the new snow. This spot was in direct sunlight and was heating up quickly. I made on turn one the slope when it broke about 30' above me. Knocked me down but I was able to self arrest before being carried.
Photo above E. Whiting