Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: Tincan

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Standard uptrack.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierRemote Trigger Unknown
Avalanche Type Cornice FallAspect South Southwest
Elevation 3500ftSlope Angle 45deg
Crown Depth7ftWidth 20ft
Vertical Run 400ft  
Near Miss / Accident Details
Number Caught/Carried? 1Number Partially Buried?0
Number Fully Buried?0Number Injured?0
Number Fatalities?0  
Avalanche Details

Two approximately car sized sections of the cornice broke underneath a skier trying to boot pack to the summit. Skier managed to stay to the right of the majority of the debris and resultant slide. No lateral propagation of any slab that released as a result of the cornice failure.

Events of the day

Skiers were attempting a boot pack to the summit approximately 5 feet from the edge of the cornice from the top of the standard uptrack to the summit.

Rescue events

No rescue needed.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Cornice failure is possible. Glide cracks are abundant on all aspects.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Calm, overcast cloud deck at 5000 ft. Intermittent fog from 11am to 3:30pm. 32 degrees at road level (car thermometer), ~ 25 at the top of the uptrack (proxy from Sunburst wx station).

Snow surface

Settled powder from 11-04 storm (approx 6"). Rain and melt crust from Tincan parking lot to approximately 1800 feet.

Snowpack

Only informal tests were performed. Pole test and hand sheer test performed with no obvious signs of instability. Snow is very dense and water laden.

Photos & Video
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