Frog Lake Ridge Avalanche

Location Name: 
Frog Lake Ridge above Red lake
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 02/18/2017 - 03:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 10.608" N, 119° 58' 56.7084" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
9 000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
300ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Skied north facing aspect towards end of day. We had not observed significant slab formation, cracks, or weak layers while skiing similar, but slightly more east facing aspects throughout the day. Wind was significantly stronger than forecast although we did not observe significant wind transport in area of avalanche. Error was complacency and poor terrain management in flat light. Skier dropped into convex terrain and triggered failure on second turn. Pulled ABS airbag to avoid potential partial burial.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

We encountered significant winds in excess of 40 mph on the south side of elephants back in the morning. We went to the north side to ski in calmer weather. Snow transport was significant on the south side, and much less on the north side.