Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Erin ReynoldsObservation Date:
January 6, 2022Submitted:
January 6, 2022Zone or Region:
East CentralActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Sage FoothillsTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
1,900 feetAspect:
Comments:
Approximately 1-2 feet of feet of snow fell in the foothills overnight and into the early morning of 1/6. Visibility was poor with heavy snow. See photos but primarily storm slab avalanches were triggered between 6-10 inches deep. The snow was quite reactive and there was evidence of both natural slides as well as skier triggered slides. Small slides were triggered while skiing and skinning (D1) but large natural slides observed. Experienced whumphing several times while skinning.Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
1,900 feetAspect:
Comments:
Storm slab avalanches (R4,D1.5) noted on all aspects on convexities with steeper pitches. Difficult to approximate slope angle but likely 35-40 degrees. See photos but appeared 6-10 inches deep and there was some propagation and cracking across the hillside. These appeared primarily to have released naturally, likely with the added weight of the snowpack. It snowed approximately 3-4 inches while out touring, over the course of 1-2 hours.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, WidespreadDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, WidespreadObservations
Given the conditions, we chose our terrain conservatively. The snow was initially low density but mid morning to afternoon became much more dense as the temps warmed and it rained in town.
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