Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Public
Observation Date:
January 12, 2023
Submitted:
January 12, 2023
Zone or Region:
East North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Shangri-La, Cutthroat creek

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
6,180ft
Aspect:
SE
Comments:
Triggered while traversing a ridge to lower-angled terrain. Riders experienced an audible whumphing collapse on a leeward side of the ridge in wind-loaded and stiffened snow. After a brief pause, the slope avalanched. It slid into softer snow and stopped on a bench in the start zone, just before a convexity. ~2ft deep, 100ft wide, ran 40ft vertical.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Triggered a slab avalanche. No one caught, no injuries.

Media

Avalanche crown. Triggered while traversing a ridge. ~2ft deep. SE, 6,180ft. Photo: Ben Starkey
WordPress Lightbox