6-16 inch Wind Slabs on Becker Peak and Talking Mtn

Location Name: 
Talking Mountain
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Fri, 02/28/2014 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 52.8528" N, 120° 3' 42.5232" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
North
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
8 300ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
200ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
3
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Several skier triggered wind slabs avalanches along the Becker Peak - Talking Mtn ridgeline today. I triggered these slides by stomping on the ridgelines near wind loaded slopes or by dropping small (oven sized) cornice pieces onto the wind loaded slopes. All of these slides failed at the base of today's snow. These slides all occurred in near and above treeline terrain on N-NE aspects that measured 37-42 degrees in steepness. I also observed one natural slide that had occurred in the same area. Widespread skier triggered shooting cracks occurred on any wind loaded slopes. The cracks went as far as 20 ft. from my skis. Snowpit tests indicated that the bonding between the old crusts and yesterday's snow has gained strength.

Photo 1: Cracking on a small N facing test slope @ 7920 ft. below Becker Peak on the ridgeline.

Photo 2: A small 6 inch wind slab triggered by an oven sized cornice piece @ 7970 ft. along the ridgeline on a test slope below Becker Peak.

Photos 3 & 4: A larger 12 to 16 inch wind slab triggered by a ski stomp on the ridge above @ the coordinates attached to this observation. The natural avalanche I observed was just to the east of this slide. 

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

After a period of moderate snow this morning skies clear and the sun came out until around noon. This sunshine quickly warmed up the snow and made it wet and heavy.  At this point clouds moved back in and moderate snowfall began. Another lull in the snow occurred between 1 and 2 pm then heavier snow (1-2 inches/hr) started around 2 pm. Temperatures seemed to gradually increase resulting in the snow becoming heavier and wetter during the day.