Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Garrett WestlingObservation Date:
March 16, 2022Submitted:
March 16, 2022Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Hogsback MountainTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few treesElevation:
6184Aspect:
NEComments:
Skiing one at a time, the first skier descended about 100 ft down the slope to then pull off to the left where he heard a large "wumph". The avalanche propagated directly below the start of the descent and propagated 150ft across the slope. The crown measured about 1.5-2.0' from where it propagated on the early March crust. All skiers were unharmed and made it out okay.Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few treesElevation:
7200Aspect:
NEComments:
Wind slabs that were propagated by cornice dropping.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, WidespreadDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, WidespreadObservations
Our plan was to ski terrain which included Southern aspects as well as low angle North to North-East facing slopes. We were aware of the the main and secondary problems of Wind Slabs and Wet Slabs. We also observed rising temperatures near the treeline and cooler temperatures near the ridgeline. A handpit was dug on a North-West aspect and found a windslab lurking atop of the March cust. Many "wumphs" were observed as well as dripping snow from trees, wind-affected terrain, and heavy snow (due to warming). After our avalanche incident, we saw that two other skiers triggered a massive slide just East of our slope, which went much wider and farther than our slide.
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