Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
We observed light, unconsolidated storm snow in areas that were not wind-affected. Wind-affected areas had limited evidence of instability (cracking) other than the convexity one of our group members was unfortunate to hit. We found cornices to be moderately sensitive and observed cracking and collapse with some stomping. Other than the avalanche we triggered, there were no major signs of instability.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 22-36F
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- N/A
- Recent Snowfall
- 10cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Warm and wet down low. Cool and breezy up high.
Snowpack
We dug a pit on a ENE facing slope @5800'. Total snow depth was 210cm with about 10cm of new snow. First crust was 25cm down, second was 50cm down, and third was 75cm down. Shovel shear with moderate force on the first crust. ECT14N
Avalanche
- Size
- D2 R2
- Type
- SS
- Aspect
- SE
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 6000 ft
Five skiers in the group descended from the ridge. The fifth skier inadvertently ski cut a small convexity and triggered a R2 D 1.5-2 avalanche that moved slowly on a slick bed surface. Skier 5 was caught and carried but remained above the surface and was able to hold on to a tree that stopped their downward progress. The avalanche came to a stop and the rest of the group was able to ascend the debris and bed surface to aid skier 5 who was uninjured but unable to move due to being pinned against the tree. Once everyone was regrouped, skier 4 took the attached photos and noted the crown to be 1.5 feet at its highest (right on the convexity) and the slide path to be approximately 150 feet wide. It ran a distance of about 250 feet. The slab failed on a knife hard bed surface that was presumed to be the buried sun crust from earlier this week.