Small (size D1) wind slab avalanche on Incline Lake Peak.

Location Name: 
Incline Lake Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Mon, 04/10/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 47.796" N, 119° 56' 32.3592" W
See map: Google Maps
US



Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
East
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
50ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
9 380ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
0ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Small (size D1) wind slab avalanche on a cross loaded E aspect just above treeline that appeared to have occurred sometime on Mon, April 10. Crown height was 1 foot max at the south end of the crown, quickly decreasing to 3 to 4 inches at the north end of the crown. The slab did not extend more than about 10 feet down slope. The hard slab debris ran about 30 vertical feet. Slab was P hard wind packed snow on top of a failure layer of 4F hard recent storm snow. No persistent crystal types were visible at the failure interface.

Upon examination on April 11, thin melt freeze crust from April 10 was present on both the bed surface and the snow surface outside of the flank. This crust was absent beneath the flank/crown at the failure interface, indicating that it had formed after the avalanche occurred.

 

Avalanche Photos: