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Grey Butte Skier Triggered Avalanche

Location Name: 
Grey Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 03/29/2020 - 1:00pm
Observation made by: 
Public
Red Flags:
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 20' 57.7176" N, 122° 11' 33.8316" W
See map: Google Maps
California US

Avalanche Observations

Details

Roller balls and rapid warming was observed. The first skier dropped in to the line from the top of the pitch making one turn and then breaking the slab loose. The slab appeared to be the warming top few inches of storm snow on top of the deeper, still cold storm snow. The slab was fast moving and picked up more snow as it moved downhill, leaving a moderate sized debris pile of soft, warm snow. 

Characteristics

Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Trigger type: 
Skier
Slope: 
38degrees
Aspect: 
Northwest
Elevation: 
8 000ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Bed Surface: 
Unknown
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Width: 
50ft.
Avalanche Length: 
600ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
1

Weather Observations

Details

The cloud layer was thin and the sun was felt through it. Varying types of precipitation was noticed through out the day; some stellars earlier in the day then changing to needles and graupel. 

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Precipitation: 
Snow
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Wind Direction: 
Southwest