Avalanche above railroad in coldstream canyon

Location Name: 
South face of Shallenberger Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 12:35


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
wet,
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
150ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
7 000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
500ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
1
Number of people caught: 
2
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

I skied into a very steep section of Shallenberger Ridge on south side of ridge and immediately triggered a crack with an avalanche.  I kept skiing over , more cracks and avalanches. Then I attempted to ski s turns down, still more cracking and the snow gave away... the entire side of mtn gave way -- huge avalanceh 8-12" at crown, 4 feet deep debris at bottom of hill maybe 400-500ft below.  The slope was basically 40 deg to 30 deg to 50 deg slope going down.  I ended up skiing to far west side of the hill into bushes and trees. I was safe, but increased heartbeat!

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: