Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 35°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 24 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Vertical Fall
- 91 m
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 46 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northwest
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2713 m
This avalanche occurred while skinning up the backside of No Name Peak. The slab released in a open snowfield on a pine forested slope. Skier was carried about 40 feet, strained through large pine trees and partially buried, facing downhill with mouth and face uncovered. Rescue was performed by ski partner. No beacon search was necessary due to the victim being visible to the rescuer and oral communication between victim and rescuer. If the skier was not caught in the nearest trees and carried further, or was buried facing uphill, consequences could have been much worse. Upon seeing the fracture, skier instinctively pointed skis downhill to ski off slab, to no avail because of skins on skis.
If forecasters are inclined to investigate this report, I would welcome feedback as to snow profile, slope angle and any other observations. Thanks.
Incident
- Number Caught
- 1
- Number Carried
- 1
- Number Partly Buried
- 1