Wind slab failure on Silver Peak Bowl

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Monday, January 3, 2022 - 10:30
Location: 
39.224278, -120.238703
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
Yes


Conditions Alerts:

  • Avalanche Activity
  • Recent Loading›Blowing Snow
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

As we approached the ridgeline toward the brocolli like tree, we started seeing wind slab failures on the skin track, roughly 3" deep, 3 feet wide and 1.5 feet across. We decided to assess using the shelter of the tree. From there, we could see a bowl wide failure about half way up that propagated toward the valley, settling well over a hundred yards below. We did not witness the actual failure. At this point, the winds started to pick up even more dramatically (prior to this point, we were more protected). Seeing the undue risk, we took some pictures and descended back on the skin tracks safely.

Hide Avalanche Details
Avalanche Type: 
Wind Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Other
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
Unknown
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R3 Medium
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Hide Weather Details
Elevation of Observation: 
7000 - 8000 ft.
Blowing Snow: 
Light
Wind Speed: 
Gale Force
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