Avalanche on Mt. Tallac

Location Name: 
Mt. Tallac-The Cross
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 03/25/2017 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 20.5668" N, 120° 5' 54.4632" W
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap

Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Slab
Trigger type: 
Skier
Aspect: 
East
Elevation: 
9 500ft.
Avalanche Length: 
1 000ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

A skier triggered avalanche was reported at the trailhead of Mt. Tallac this afternoon.  The avalanche occurred in The Cross, a steep couloir off of the main summit of Mt. Tallac.  The avalanche occurred at 12:30pm.  The main entrance into the Cross had been skied by approximately 8 people at around 11am with some minor loose wet activity observed.  At 12:30pm, a group of 2 skiers went to the top to descend the skiers left entrance, on an east aspect.  As the first skier made several turns into the slope, the slope released a slab avalanche.  The skier was carried approximately 800' downslope past trees and over rocks with the avalanche debris continuing to run downslope further. Injuries were reported with a broken ski and lost equipment.  

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest