Crown profile from Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 02/16/2014 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 4.8" N, 119° 58' 51.6" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Slope: 
42degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
9 400ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
500ft.
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

http://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/sun-02162014-1200-skier-triggered-a...

Crown profile consistent with later interview with the person who triggered this avalanche, showing 2 weak layers within the wind slab. The shallower layer triggered first, then stepped down to layer just above rain crust. No angular grains observed near rain crust. Continued wind transport made pictures and video difficult (pic 1 - skier entered from around the 11 o'clock position and triggered near center of frame). Rain crust appears dirty in this area, and most of bed surface had similar dirty appearance. Similar layering and ECTP results were observed along approach (pic 2). Wind slab in this area was generally shallow and harmless, but several typical wind loaded areas had wind slab deep enough to cause a D2 avalanche.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None