Observation: Public

Name:

Grant Adams

Observation Date:

March 11, 2023

Submitted:

March 12, 2023

Zone or Region:

West North

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Ruby Mountain

Did you trigger any avalanches?

Yes

Was it intentional?

No

Avalanche Type:

Dry Loose (Sluff)

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

6000

Aspect:

NE

Comments:

Dry loose sluffing on steeper aspects of North Bowl of ruby triggered by riders and naturally. Did not propagate and was not bonded together in slab. Did also not extend deep into the snowpack.

None reported

Snow was great for riding from 7,000 to 3,000 feet with snow getting dryer as we moved up. Snow was quite stable. However, on steep aspects above 6,200 ft below Cliff bands and trees there were naturally occurring dry loose (see photos). Riders also triggered dry loose D1 riding on the edge of steep gullies in the North Bowl. Right below the ridge line at 7,100-7,300 feet, the snow was noticeably wind deposited loosely slabbing together (pieces an inch deep and a foot square at most would form breaking trail), but was very light and fragile and would not propagate. Lightly snowing off and on throughout the afternoon.

Natural sluffing below trees on left. North bowl of Ruby.