Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
AJRObservation Date:
April 30, 2022Submitted:
April 30, 2022Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Bullion BasinTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Wet SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
6000Aspect:
NEComments:
Human triggered, Location: 46.93, -121.4 ; depth: 1.5-2 inches; width 10 ft, length 20 ftObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
6400Aspect:
NEComments:
Witnessed skier triggered slab avalanche starting from the peak of Bullion peak on the NE slope. We were down in the basin at the time. Best guess is: fanning to 50-100 ft width and a length of 300ft+(Photo not included); Also witnessed another skier triggered D1-D2 (photo included) on NE slope adjacent to our skin and descent line. 15 ft width and 175 ft lengthSigns of Unstable Snow
Observations
Summary: Based off the forecast, my party expected wet loose avalanche risk as the day progressed, however, morning sun, warm temps and new snow overnight created wet slab risk on all north facing slopes that we encountered.
4 inches of new snow fell over night in Crystal area. Skinned to Bullion Basin, reaching the basin at around 10:30am. Snow was expected in the forecast, but instead light rain/sleet from 4800 ft to 5800 from 8:45 to 9:30 to sun appeared from 9:30-11am at 5800ft and above with rapid warming. West facing slopes off of East Peak had small rollerballs. While in the basin we witnessed a natural wet loose side on the N aspect (40-45 degrees). Went up NE slope toward ridge (30-34 degrees) with some evidence of rollerballs. Descended along skin track line (30-34 degrees) and set off small D1 slabs with every turn. Around 12:30pm we witnessed a skier trigger a D2 slab avalanche starting from the peak of Bullion peak on the NE slope (no photo). Also saw skier triggered D1-D2 on NE slope adjacent to skin line.
Media
