Storm slab instability on Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Sunday, January 15, 2023 - 11:40
Location: 
38.989948, -120.126852
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
Yes


Conditions Alerts:

  • Avalanche Activity
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

We observed some storm slab cracking and a storm slab avalanche caused by another party while skiing on Rubicon Peak today. 

On our first lap, we undercut and kicked at a steeper rollover at 8,700ft and got ~4ft cracks on a storm slab layer ~16 inches deep. (Photo 1)

While descending on our first lap we came up to an avalanche on a similar storm slab layer that appeared to have been caused by a prior party (tracks in close proximity to this small steeper section.) This slide was approximately 20ft wide (Photo 2).

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