Skier Triggered Cornice Collapse/Wind Slab

Location Name: 
Paulsen's Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Saturday, January 14, 2023 - 09:43
Location: 
39.204803, -120.235174
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
Yes


Conditions Alerts:

  • Avalanche Activity
  • Recent Loading
  • Recent Loading›Blowing Snow
  • Recent Loading›More Than a Foot of New Snow
  • Recent Loading›Snowfall Rates of More Than 1 in/hr
Observation made by: Guide at Alpenglow Expeditions

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

Heavy wind affected snow,  with strong winds & very heavy snowfall. The wind picked up later in the morning & the temperature dropped. Uphill track was complety burried on our second lap. The snow was considerably more wind affected with some shooting cracks observed on second lap in the afternoon.

Hide Terrain Details
Terrain: elevations: 
Below Treeline
Terrain: aspects: 
E
Hide Avalanche Details
Avalanche Type: 
Wind Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
Skier
Trigger Modifier: 
Cornice Fall Triggered
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
32degrees
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
below-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Crown Height: 
9 ft
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
50ft.
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
90ft.
BESbswy