Observed avalanche activity: Yes Avalanches: Numerous skier and rider triggered storm slabs from D1 to D1.5, depending on the length and steepness of the terrain. There were also a few naturals that ran earlier in the storm, probably yesterday. Weather: Light snowfall in the morning, light graupel in the afternoon. Moderate winds with moderate transport at ridgetop. Snowpack: About 15″ of low density storm snow (F). Reactive storm slabs on terrain features steeper than about 37 degrees. The crowns that I looked at failed within the storm snow on low-density stellar dendrites that fell yesterday, although there is also a small-grained near surface facet layer at the storm interface. No significant drifting where we traveled except just below ridgeline, where slabs were a bit thicker and stiffer, up to 18″, 4F.
Photos:
An example of a ski triggered storm slab below treeline.
Slabs grew to larger sizes in longer terrain where they entrained more snow, up to D1.5 here.
Slabs were a bit stiffer and thicker below ridgeline. This one is about 18″ thick.
Near valley bottom, less propagation and slabs were only 10″ thick.
Relative Size: R1 very small Destructive Size: D1.5 Avg. crown height (inches): Avg. width (feet): Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught: # of partial burials: # of full burials:
Additional comments: Thanksgiving Bowl. Debris from earlier in the storm, couldn’t see crown (or point release) failure, but presumably from NTL start zone.
Relative Size: R1 very small Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people Avg. crown height (inches): Avg. width (feet): Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught: # of partial burials: # of full burials:
Relative Size: R1 very small Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people Avg. crown height (inches): Avg. width (feet): Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught: # of partial burials: # of full burials:
Additional comments: Climax Chutes. Could only see debris, likely a wind drifted slab NTL.
