| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Soft Slab | Aspect | East |
| Elevation | 3000ft | Slope Angle | 35deg |
| Crown Depth | 2ft | Width | 100ft |
| Vertical Run | 300ft |
Avalanche: Chugach State Park
Location: Above South Fork Trailhead, Eagle River
Group of 5 skiers followed pre-existing track up the right side of the high traffic “gully” just South of South Fork Creek Trailhead until ~3200ft and begin traversing North searching for deeper, more consistent snow pack. Snow pack was variable, light, soft snow. Thickness varied from inches to feet. Lightly snowing, low visibility. No wind.
Avalanche Details
Second skier in group skied near a buried rock (initiation spot shown in photo), which caused the slabs to release down to the ground. Two distinct slabs could be seen post-avalanche. Soft upper layer slab and a harder lower slab. Area appeared wind loaded. Average depth 2.5ft, maximum estimated around 3ft. Avalanche propagated away from the skier to the next weak points (rocks). Skier was carried less than 20ft and stopped upon digging skis into exposed ground. First skier was looker's right of the avalanche out of harm's way on a slight hill.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | No |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Observer Comments
Whumping was experienced on the ski out in the lower elevations. Not experienced on the way up due to using pre-existing skin track. Shooting cracks seen immediately preceding the avalanche and only in that wind loaded area. None seen during quick tests next to skin track on way up.
Weather
Light snow, low visibility, no wind.
Snow surface
Light, soft snow
Snowpack
Information from post-avalanche. Two distinct layers can be seen. See photos.
Looking from initiation point, shows two slab layers
View of deepest section of crown
Skier that triggered avalanche skied just to the right of this rock
About halfway down looking back up at the crown