Naturals on Flagpole and Echo

Submitted by travis on Fri, 04/23/2010 - 3:29pm
Location Name: 
Flagpole Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area

Location

United States
38° 50' 45.744" N, 120° 3' 16.6536" W
See map: Google Maps
Position: 
Professional Observer
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Thu, 04/22/2010 - 10:00pm
Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Avalanche Type: 
Loose/Point-Release
Trigger type: 
Natural
Slope: 
40degrees
Aspect: 
East
Elevation: 
8000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Avalanche Length: 
1000ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Number of similar avalanches: 
1
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
Avalanche Photos: 
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Both Flagpole and Echo had D2 loose, wet slides that appeared to release late last night, probably due to warming precip. Judging from several smaller slides in the Forbidden Zone above the gun mount, weak layers and bed surfaces were within new snow.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Precipitation: 
None
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

A warming trend was observed in SLT last night, as snow turned to rain