Quick report
Took a trip up to Divide Ridge to investigate an avalanche observed yesterday from Archangel Road. Although no report has been submitted, ski tracks in the area indicate the likelihood that this was a skier triggered hard slab / persistent slab avalanche. Lots of good data collected from this visit, take a look at the media and attached avalanche observation for all the info.
Recent avalanche and propagating snow pit test results were the only signs of instability today.Weather
- Air Temp
- 25
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 2
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Skies were overcast to obscured and intermittent snow showers occurred throughout the tour. Winds were generally light until the exposed ridge on divide where falling snow was observed to be getting pushed a little from the SE.
Snowpack
The ascent from Mint Valley was a punchy, faceted slog. At low elevations on this easterly aspect the recent snow was soft and unsupportable, resulting in every step sinking up to my thigh in the sugary faceted snow below. Right on cue at about 2500 Ft the snow surface became firmer and more supportable, making travel much easier.
On the divide ridge between east and west aspects the difference in snowpack was pronounced. Easterly aspect was thin and scoured with a softer slab on top of the old snow, whereas the westerly aspect where the avalanche occurred was loaded and the slab in this location was much thicker and stiffer.
A profile adjacent to the avalanche revealed the known structure of dense, settled snow sitting on old sugary facets. Extended Column Test resulted in failure on isolation.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2 R2
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- W
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 3000 ft
Skier/Boarder triggered hard slab / persistent slab avalanche 200' wide x 450' fall failing on faceted snow near the ground.