Small wet, loose point releases on Incline Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Incline Lake Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 37.1976" N, 119° 56' 6.7956" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
wet,loose,
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
15ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
8 800ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
100ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
3
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Several small wet, point release avalanches occurred on Incline Lake Peak today on E-SE-S aspects. Some of these were skier triggered and some released naturally near exposed cliffs and rocks where the sun's heat was concentrated. These slides only entrained the recent storm snow and slid on the old melt-freeze crust. 3-5 inches of wet heavy snow existed on these sun-exposed E-SE-S aspects by 2pm. 

On the more northerly aspects ski cuts, hand pits, and stability tests showed no signs of instability where the snow remained cold. These more sheltered aspects held 6-8 inches of unconsolidated cold snow on top of a frozen crust. Observations showed signs of significant settlement over the last 2 days.

Photo: Point release slides described above.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

A few clouds started to move in around 2pm.