Observation: Public

Location:

Lichtenberg

Comments:

Skier triggered slab avalanche on the North Aspect of Lictenberg just below summit on 40-45 degree slope. Slab avalanche, 50' wide, 50' tall, 8" deep. 3 skiers involved, 2 partial burials, no injuries. Skier 1 was the first skier to enter the slope after attempting to trigger the slope with large jumps at the top of the slope. He took three turns and exited the slope skiers right without incident. Skier 1 kicked off much sluff which picked up momentum and impacted skier 3 who was waiting mid way down the slope, having taken a different to get there. Skier 2 entered then0 and after skier 2's third turn, a slide triggered about 30' above the skier near the summit and propagated around the skier to skiers right and below skier 2. A slide about 50' wide, 50' tall, and 8" deep swept skiers 2 and skier 3 down slope into some trees. Skier 1 skied out of the path, skier 2 was carried about 30' down the slope and buried, standing up to his knees, and skier 3 was carried 20' and partially buried under 8" or snow. The crown was about 6" at the top of the slop and 8"-12" at it's deepest part. The avalanche in total slid about 150' down the slope but did not continue to pick up snow past the initial slab. It is unclear if the slab slid on any particular layer, however, none of the skiers report feeling a crust under the slab. The three skiers were able to assist each other out of partial burial with minimal effort and no injuries and were thankful to escape this time having learned some key lessons for a low price.

Did you observe any avalanches? 

Yes

Comments:

Skier triggered slab avalanche on the North Aspect of Lictenberg just below summit on 40-45 degree slope. Slab avalanche, 50' wide, 50' tall, 8" deep. 3 skiers involved, 2 partial burials, no injuries.

Skier 1 was the first skier to enter the slope after attempting to trigger the slope with large jumps at the top of the slope. He took three turns and exited the slope skiers right without incident. Skier 1 kicked off much sluff which picked up momentum and impacted skier 3 who was waiting mid way down the slope, having taken a different to get there. Skier 2 entered then0 and after skier 2's third turn, a slide triggered about 45' above the skier near the summit and propagated around the skier to skiers right and below skier 2. A slide about 100' wide, 100' tall, and 8" deep swept skiers 2 and skier 3 down slope into some trees. Skier 1 skied out of the path, skier 2 was carried about 30' down the slope and buried, standing up to his knees, and skier 3 was carried 20' and partially buried under 8" or snow.

The crown was about 6" at the top of the slop and 8"-12" at it's deepest part. The avalanche in total slid about 150' down the slope but did not continue to pick up snow past the initial slab. It is unclear if the slab slid on any particular layer, however, none of the skiers report feeling a crust under the slab.

The three skiers were able to assist each other out of partial burial with minimal effort and no injuries and were thankful to escape this time having learned some key lessons for a low price.