wind slabs south of Ellis Peek

Location Name: 
above buck lake
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Wed, 03/01/2017 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 3' 21.7188" N, 120° 11' 42.7884" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Trigger type: 
Snowmobiler
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
250ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Avalanche Length: 
150ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
3
Number of people caught: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

photos were taken on 3/2/17.    A reminder to always use caution and have a spotter when riding very steep terrain.  this is a treeless area  on the back side of a notch where wind loading will occour.  Please ride with partners and take nessary precautions. 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
wind loaded slab
wind loaded slabs
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

observations were made on a sunny calm day.  The slides are most likely the result of wind loading durring the last storm cycle.