Subaru pushed across hwy 89

Location Name: 
hwy 89 at bridge between squaw and alpine
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Thu, 03/24/2011 - 21:41


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
dry,
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
6 500ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Number of similar avalanches: 
2
Number of people caught: 
1
Number of partial burials: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

I was driving home from work in the village at squaw... after turning right onto hwy 89 I noticed a large debris pile covering most of the road... as I drove around it a large amount of loose snow came flying over the retaining wall into the passenger side of my subaru forester pushing me towards the other side of the hwy... I floored it and came sliding out of the debris on the wrong side of the road... less than a mile later across from river ranch I encountered another large debris pile spread across the hwy... Scariest drive of my life, feel so blessed to have made it home safely!

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: