Intentionally skier triggered loose wet avalanche on Jakes Peak.

Location Name: 
Jakes Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 03/05/2016 - 11:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 11.82" N, 120° 6' 53.82" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Loose/Point-Release
Slope: 
44degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
10ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 370ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
300ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
5-10
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Intentionally skier triggered loose wet avalanche in the NE gullies of Jakes Peak. See above for specific slope details. Wet snow was present from the trailhead at around 6,800' up to the summit at 9,200'. New snow amounts from last night ranged from 0 cm at the trail head to 4 to 8 cm in the 7,500' to 7,800' range to 15 to 20 cm in the 8,200' to 9,200' elevation range. Numerous additional natural loose wet avalanche and natural roller balls were noted in the 7,800' to 9,200' elevation range.

Avalanche observation video: 

20160305 Jake's Peak, CA, intentionally triggered loose wet avalanche.

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Mixed rain and snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow level was observed at around 7,900' in this area at 11 am.