Location: Paradise Divide Area
Date of Observation: 12/21/2015
Name: Jimmy Buchanan
Date of Observation: 12/21/2015
Name: Jimmy Buchanan
Subject: Pittsburgh Skier Triggered Avalanche
Aspect: North East
Elevation: 10,000′
Aspect: North East
Elevation: 10,000′
Avalanches: Skier triggered hangfire, 65 cm deep failing on 5-7 mm preserved surface hoar and breaking into low angle terrain that is skied regularly.
Weather: Overcast. Light to moderate snowfall throughout the morning.
Snowpack: 50-70 cm of new snow in the last two days. HS ranged from 80 cm to 135 cm depending on terrain and elevation. Storm slab became more substantial with gain in elevation. Observed a preserved surface hoar layer on N/NE aspects above 9,600′.
