Avalanche in West Fireplug, likely triggered from skin track.

Location Name: 
West Fireplug
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Tue, 01/19/2016 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 41.8008" N, 119° 54' 49.8564" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
43degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
60ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 840ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
100ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

This avalanche appeared to have been directly triggered by an ascending skier/splitboarder. The avalanche most likely occurred during the morning hours of Jan 19, then was covered by the rest of the snowfall that day. Crown profile and snowpit data on an adjacent slope indicated that the avalanche failed around 15 cm deep on a non-persistent weak layer in the form of a density change within the storm snow. No signs of ongoing instability. Start zone had a slope angle ranging from 34 to 43 degrees and was a NE (051 degree) aspect.

It was challenging to get good photos of this avalanche, but the mostly filled in crown is visible right in front of ski tips in photo 1 and debris covered in recent storm snow are visible in the down slope background of photo 2.
 

Avalanche Photos: