Cornice release on Echo

Location Name: 
Echo Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Wed, 03/23/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 51' 22.9176" N, 120° 4' 20.2584" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Loose/Point-Release
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Unknown
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
8 800ft.
Avalanche Length: 
1 000ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Because the debris path was in steep NE facing terrain, I couldn't tell how fresh the slide was. Certainly within the last few days. No evidence of skiier triggering. Looks like a big chunk of the cornice fell off and triggered both a shallow (1 foot) slab and a deeper point release. The debris field looked more like a wet slide than a slab, and included big pieces of cornice and what appears to be some small trees.

The terrain trap funneled and carried the debris 1000 vertical feet, to a cliff band. Most areas were shallow but the main trap up high (~200 feet below cornice) looked deep enough to bury a skiier.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Air temperature: 
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Strong sun but cold air temps.