Name:
elias
Observation Date:
December 9, 2022
Submitted:
December 9, 2022
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Below Heather Meadows area
Did you trigger any avalanches?
Yes
Was it intentional?
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
Below Treeline ~3800’
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
An open area below treeline. Had no idea anything slid. Got to the bottom, looked up and saw the crown. Skinned up to investigate and upon reaching the toe of the debris I took one step onto it and there was a startling loud rumbling whumph. Bed surface was soft, crown height ~40cm(new storm snow), width ~15m, length ~25m. Below treeline, NE aspect, slope angle 35-38 degrees. Found some feathery looking crystals at the bed surface. Right above the crown line was cutting several hand shears with my pole and all were failing upon isolation.
Weather was calm in the trees and there were no signs of wind loading around. Observed no other signs of instabilities the whole day.
Did you see shooting cracks?
No
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, Isolated