Avalanche on Red Lake Pk

Location Name: 
Red Lake Pk
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 09:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 11.2656" N, 119° 58' 55.1424" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
dry,slab,
Slope: 
39degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Other
Avalanche Width: 
75ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
9 240ft.
Bed Surface: 
Other - explain below
Avalanche Length: 
400ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
Number of full burials: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

2nd hand, reliable info:

Complex terrain, crown varied from 4" to 8" and just under rocks. Buried skier suffered head injuries and was flown to Reno - so specific observations (bed surface, etc) are limited. Even though the crown itself was shallow, debris was at least waist deep, and enough for complete burial. Start zone reported to be steeper than 35 degrees, but again not measured due to serious injuries.

11.29 edit:

Andy and I visited site for investigation. Upon approach, 3 snowboarders descended similarly complex terrain just to the climber's left of yesterday's accident, on a slightly more northern aspect. They triggered 2 very small slabs at about the same elevation, with about the same crown height as yesterday's accident, but much smaller avalanches - with no consequences. Two other travellers descended terrain ~300 meters to climbers left with no results.

2 other crowns were observed on either side of accident - both appeared to be natural triggers that may have occured just before accident.

Pic 1: Overview of the slides in the area.

Pic 2: Taken from Crater Lake. It is assumed victim travelled over rocks between trigger point and burial point.

Pic 3: Taken from skier's perspective at trigger point.

Pic 4: Looking up from the burial point

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Air temperature: 
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: