Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 24 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Vertical Fall
- 46 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 46 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northwest
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2926 m
We saw what was likely a natural avalanche that failed on facets on a steep northwest aspect off of Mt. Raymond down into Main Porter Fork. We were unable to get closer to the crown due to hazard on adjacent slopes, but the crown was about 30-45 cms deep and filled in with snow, which indicates it likely failed on the PWL at the old snow surface. Dimensions for the avalanche are estimates.
This was the only avalanche we saw that failed as a soft slab and not a sluff, and this indicates that most slopes just need a slab on top of the PWL to become reactive.
No photo due to poor visibility.