Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 38°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 76 m
- Weak Layer
- Depth Hoar
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Vertical Fall
- 183 m
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 91 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Cornice Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2804 m
Saw two avalanches off the Wilson Headwall The bigger one was NE facing, crown length was between 250 and 300ft propagating down both ridge lines. Crown depth was about 3.5 feet at the deepest part, ran full track to the flats, ran on facets at the ground interface, taking out the whole years snow pack. Looked to be triggered by a natural cornice drop either yesterday or the day before. Photos.
Forecaster Comments: I was in the area today and went to look at the slide as well. I concur that it probably occurred yesterday because there was very little new snow on the wind protected sections. I did not feel like it was safe to get to the fracture line but it was obvious what it was running on--the weak faceted snow near the ground and in some areas, it looked like weak faceted snow above a crust. I would say the deepest areas were more like 4 or 5 feet but averaged 3 feet. There are many other slopes in the area that are identical that have not avalanched. Spooky. Thanks for all your hard work, Mark - Bruce Tremper
Whole slide.
Close up of the top of the crown.
Crown on the forested ridge line.
Crown on the ridge line.
Bed surface.
Smaller slide in the corner pocket north facing appeared to be new snow only.