Avalanche

Avalanche: Funnel

Garcia, Nauman, AmentMoab
View on map

Avalanche

Slab Width
122 m
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
152 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
46 cm
Start Zone Aspect
West
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
3475 m

This was a natural avalanche involving a slab of wind drifted snow failing on the old snow interface. It did not step down to the buried PWL. This West facing slope was heavily cross-loaded by strong Southerly winds. This is the first avalanche I have seen on this slope in 9 seasons of skiing this range. Eric has seen this slope avalanche one other time in his career.