Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 305 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Snowmobiler
- Vertical Fall
- 46 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 122 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- East
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3109 m
This slide released in two separate sections although they connected. The north half was triggered remotely by snowmobilers in the area.
A few minutes later the south half was triggered when a rider attempted to climb a short steep pitch. He was unaware that the north half of the slope had just released.
The avalanche released when he was at the apex of the slope. He was caught and tumbled down the slope along with his sled. Both ended up on top of the debris. The rider was uninjured.
The debris was 6 to 8 feet deep on the bench where it pushed up against the trees. The riders sled ended up against a tree where my partner is standing in the photo below. This was a very close call and the rider is lucky he ended up on top instead of buried in the deep debris.
Incident
- Number Caught
- 1
- Number Carried
- 1