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Multiple natural slab avalanches near Ski Area in Lassen NP

Location Name: 
SE ridgeline skiers right of Ski Area, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Region: 
Outside of the Forecast Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 01/22/2017 - 6:00pm
Observation made by: 
Public
Red Flags:
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

Location Map

United States
40° 26' 23.73" N, 121° 32' 22.5672" W
US

Avalanche Observations

Details

At 10am 22/01/17, observed 3 recent naturally triggered dry slab avalanches in close proximity on SE aspect slope at 7700ft, midway down ridgeline running SE from Brokeoff Mt, skiers right of Ski Area. All 3 avalanches looked distinct, but within a few hundred feet of one another. Slope angle approximately 30-35º. Crown visible, depth looked to be roughly at interface between new & old storm snow, but hard to tell from a distance. Two larger avalanches were approx. 50-60ft wide with 60ft vertical fall, smaller approx. 20ft wide with 10ft vertical fall. Clearly visible from Kohm Ya-mah-nee Visitor Center parking lot (6700ft).

Snow Pit / Crown Profile Photos

Characteristics

Avalanche Type: 
DrySlab
Trigger type: 
Natural
Slope: 
32degrees
Aspect: 
Southeast
Elevation: 
7 700ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
60ft.
Avalanche Length: 
80ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
3
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0

Weather Observations

Details

Statistics

Precipitation: 
Accumulation rate: 
Air temperature: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: