Avalanche

Avalanche: Middle Fork

Stevens-Diamond S, KobernikSkyline
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Avalanche

Slab Width
137 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Snowmobiler
Vertical Fall
61 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
76 cm
Trigger Detail
Remotely Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3078 m

Snowmobile riders were taking a break and watched this avalanche release 200 to 300 yards away from them. It is most likely they caused the snowpack to collapse which then traveled through the snow and up the slope. It is very common for a layer of weak faceted snow buried within the snowpack to behave like this.