Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Kate BeemerObservation Date:
January 8, 2022Submitted:
January 8, 2022Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Crystal Mountain Niagras Gate 9 - Old Faithful and Johnsons GullyTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Wet SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5800Aspect:
EComments:
Top of run near gate 9 6-8 in depth, ~25 ft width, ~25 ft lengthObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
5800Aspect:
EComments:
Johnson gully slide start depth ~8-12 in. width ~80 ft and length ~350 ft.Old Faithful depth unknown - Width ~80ft, and length ~350 ft.
Snow congregated in their respective gullies and run out area below.
Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
Gate 9 had just opened and we triggered 3 avalanches in relatively quick succession ~2 min. 1 D1 and 2 D1.5 slides - ski patrol assessed these small slides as - R1 D1.5. Ski Patrol did not assess the very small slide that was on the upper part of Niagras - near gate 9 - roughly knee-deep as it settled. 2 small slides occurred in Johnsons and Old Faithful gullies and were skier triggered.
We were a party of 6 and were the first to ski Niagras as gate 9 opened. One member was carried by the Old Faithful slide and ended up with her feet pointing towards the ground and head towards the sky. She had one arm and her head free above the surface. She required assistance to get out from another party member. She lost both skis and poles as she was tumbling. Her skis floated to the top and we were able to get ourselves to the base. We notified ski patrol at the time of the slide.