Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 35°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 213 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Vertical Fall
- 686 m
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 122 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Cornice Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- East
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2560 m
We spotted this avalanche from a distance, likely released around mid-day yesterday (2/25), and decided to get a closer look. This avalanche occurred on an east-facing slope at 8400 feet, breaking approximately 3-4 feet deep and running down to an elevation of 6200 feet. We suspect this wind-loaded slope released due to a cornice fall during yesterday's strong winds, starting with dry snow before entraining a significant amount of wet snow as it moved down the mountain. While we were unable to access the crown, the connectivity of this slab suggests it failed on a faceted weak layer.
We could see evidence of several other recent natural avalanches and large cornice falls in the area, but this one was much bigger than the others.
I took a picture of the plumes of drifting snow coming off the Wellsville Range late Tuesday afternoon.... It appears that the avalanche in Hell Canyon had already occurred.