The area has seen its first major avalanche of the season with the storm that went through here the past few days.
From the Sierra Avalanche Center
https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/observation/avalanche/2017/nov/16/size-2-avalanche-hourglass
Avalanche Type:
Dry
Slab
Slope:
35degrees
Trigger type:
Unknown
Crown Height:
2 ft
Aspect:
Northeast
Weak Layer:
Old Snow
Avalanche Width:
100ft.
Terrain:
Above Treeline
Elevation:
9 600ft.
Bed Surface:
Old Snow
Avalanche Length:
600ft.
Number of people caught:
3
Number of partial burials:
3
Tamarack Peak and Hourglass bowl where the avalanche took place. image: skitahoebackcountry.com
More detailed information about the avalanche:
We dug a pit on a slightly different aspect at direct north to find a 75-85cm snowpack. Our test results revealed a ct4 sc at 10cm/75cm and a ct12 sc at 14cm/85cm and failing on 1-2mm facets close to the ground. As we stepped around the corner we found an r2d2 avalanche with a large 2-2.5ft crown about 100ft wide through the left side of the chute running though a small gulley into the trees below. The crown also ran 100ft down the left flank about 1.5-2ft in depth. Failure layer was 2mm basal facets similar to those seen in the snowpit. It is unknown what triggered it as we noticed it about halfway down the path. The debris was 3-4 feet deep. We estimated the time of the avalanche based on the new snow on the debris to be sometime between 10-11am. We traversed over and did a quick beacon search on the path with no signals. No other avalanches noted. Sorry I have no pictures. I forgot my phone in the car.
Additional information from a Facebook post:
" I spoke with one of the party of 4 or 5 that were involved in the slide on my skin up. Three people ( I believe) were caught in it, two of which were slammed into trees/rocks but were ok. Another skier with a possible broken ankle. A couple lost skis as well. Maybe one of the involved skiers can give an accurate account of what happened....."
From the Sierra Avalanche Center
https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/observation/avalanche/2017/nov/16/size-2-avalanche-hourglass
Avalanche Type:
Dry
Slab
Slope:
35degrees
Trigger type:
Unknown
Crown Height:
2 ft
Aspect:
Northeast
Weak Layer:
Old Snow
Avalanche Width:
100ft.
Terrain:
Above Treeline
Elevation:
9 600ft.
Bed Surface:
Old Snow
Avalanche Length:
600ft.
Number of people caught:
3
Number of partial burials:
3
Tamarack Peak and Hourglass bowl where the avalanche took place. image: skitahoebackcountry.com
More detailed information about the avalanche:
We dug a pit on a slightly different aspect at direct north to find a 75-85cm snowpack. Our test results revealed a ct4 sc at 10cm/75cm and a ct12 sc at 14cm/85cm and failing on 1-2mm facets close to the ground. As we stepped around the corner we found an r2d2 avalanche with a large 2-2.5ft crown about 100ft wide through the left side of the chute running though a small gulley into the trees below. The crown also ran 100ft down the left flank about 1.5-2ft in depth. Failure layer was 2mm basal facets similar to those seen in the snowpit. It is unknown what triggered it as we noticed it about halfway down the path. The debris was 3-4 feet deep. We estimated the time of the avalanche based on the new snow on the debris to be sometime between 10-11am. We traversed over and did a quick beacon search on the path with no signals. No other avalanches noted. Sorry I have no pictures. I forgot my phone in the car.
Additional information from a Facebook post:
" I spoke with one of the party of 4 or 5 that were involved in the slide on my skin up. Three people ( I believe) were caught in it, two of which were slammed into trees/rocks but were ok. Another skier with a possible broken ankle. A couple lost skis as well. Maybe one of the involved skiers can give an accurate account of what happened....."
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