Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Jerrick S LindeObservation Date:
December 16, 2021Submitted:
December 17, 2021Zone or Region:
West CentralActivity:
XC Skiing/SnowshoeingLocation:
Mt TeneriffeTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
4,600 feetAspect:
WComments:
Slab broke on us as we just cleared the tree line and started our final summit approach up Mt. Teneriffe. Approximately a five inch deep 50 foot wide and 30 long soft slab broke and moved a foot. Due to the short movement it is only speculation if it falls into the D2 category. Slope was measured at around 33 degrees at the location. We attempted to move our approach to the summit to a less wind loaded approach and experienced a shooting crack on a similar slope. At this point we called it for the day.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
Our approach to Mt. Teneriffe was via the old Teneriffe trail. We put on snowshoes at around 3,600 feet. Snow depth was measured at 130 cm at treeline. Upon clearing the treeline we headed directly for the first rock band that is the summit of Teneriffe. As we approached the band I observed the snow moving down the slope. At this point we noticed a crack appear above us. Luckily the snow stopped after around a foot of movement. It is speculation at this time if this would have been just a D1 or if it had run further turned into a D2. After this we carefully backed down into the trees and reassessed the situation. We decided to attempt an approach further climbers left up around the rock band in what appeared to be less wind loaded area. We did a quick slope stability test and looked for evidence of a slab and found what appeared to be just dry unconsolidated snow. As we approached the rock band a crack shot across the snow below us. At this point we called it for the day.
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