Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 152 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 183 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3139 m
This HS-N-R4-D3-O failed sometime early on Thursday morning 1/5. We measured approx. 500' wide on a map and estimate from afar that the crown ranged from 2'-6' deep. It's possible that a smaller D2 new wind slab released near the ridgeline and triggered this large full-depth avalanche.
Southwest wind picked up overnight Wed 1/4 and increased into the mid 30's at the most exposed ridgelines by early morning. It only took about 5-6 hours of this wind to add a new load big enough to trigger this slide. A significant sign that the lingering PWL problem is still alive and well, even if it's gotten more stubborn and difficult to trigger.
A couple of trends were noting are that most recent big avalanches are failing in the alpine steepest terrain (39 deg and above) as well as very low on the slope along steep gully walls.
Some south through west-facing exposed ridges have been stripped back to the ground once again. As of this report, not all of them look this bad as some further to the east still hold significant snow. Fingers crossed that this damage stays minimized. Skiing quality the last few days has been off the charts excellent. The recent wind has put a damper on this however and today we had to retreat back into the mid elevation sheltered terrain to find soft Pow.