Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 305 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 183 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- East
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3200 m
I noticed a large avalanche that occurred in cardiac. I don't know very much about it except that the crown goes all the way from cardiac pass to the cardiac ridge run and then there is another crown lower down at the roll over. we observed the aftermath a little before noon on Feb 14 so it happened sometime before then.
Forecaster comments: I took additional photos on February 15th. The avalanche broke from Cardiac Pass to the steep rock slabs down canyon. Total width was estimated to be 1000' with a fracture depth estimated to be 5-6 feet. As it descended, it pulled out the lower slopes on Little Superior down by the bottom of the basin at about the same depth and width. I did not get to examine the fracture line but it was obvious from looking at it that it was a deep slab running on the weak depth hoar and faceted snow layers deep in the snowpack.
The first photo is an overall wide view of the upper and lower fracture lines. Bruce Tremper
Here are a couple more photos of the upper fracture line and also another photo of the lower fracture line.