Ski Cut, Ward Canyon

Location Name: 
Grouse Rocks Area
Region: 
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Thu, 02/27/2014 - 08:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 8' 13.0236" N, 120° 14' 23.8344" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Width: 
75ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
150ft.
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Ski cut on obvious steeper rollover resulted in a small avalanche. SS-AS-R3-D1.5-6-8". Failure layer was the near surface facets observed in the area yesterday.  We skied lower angle terrain adjacent to the slope without incident. 

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: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

S2 accumulation while on our tour, needles turning to rimed stellars throughout the morning. Skin track pretty well filled in after each lap. Moderate winds gusting to strong on the ridge, less noticeable lower.