Loose Wet Avalanches on Fireplug

Location Name: 
Fireplug
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Thu, 03/31/2016 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 41.79" N, 119° 54' 23.0184" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Loose/Point-Release
Slope: 
39degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Aspect: 
Northeast
Avalanche Width: 
40ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 700ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
200ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Wet surface snow and loose wet instabilities were becoming active by mid morning in the Fireplug area of Mt. Rose.  These loose wet avalanches were all skier triggered on all aspects encountered today.  The wet surface snow was sliding effieciently on the old snow surface melt freeze crust and running long distances.

Photo#1&#2:  8700', NE aspect, 39 degrees, below treeline, at 10am.  Skier triggered loose wet avalanche that ran up to 200' down into trees.  Wet surface snow ran efficiently on old melt freeze crust.

Photo#3:  SE aspect, 35 degree test slope, 9000', at 11am.  Loose wet avalanche ran on old melt freeze crust.

Video:  9000', ESE aspect, at 11am.  Ski cut on small test slope with loose wet avalanche running on old melt freeze crust.

Avalanche Photos: 
Avalanche observation video: 

Loose Wet Avalanche on an E facing Test slope on the Fireplug

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East