Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol intentionally triggered AVY near Castle Peak

Location Name: 
North aspect of Cardiac Ridge, north of Thumb Rock
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 03/18/2012 - 13:30


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
dry,slab,
Slope: 
30degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
North
Weak Layer: 
Other
Avalanche Width: 
30ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 800ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
40ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Members of the Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol (www.tbsp.org) intentionally triggered this slide after poor stability results from a hasty pit - CT4@10cm(Q1), CT12@25cm(Q3). Triggered by bouncing on a windloaded rollover. The failure was in the windloaded snow layer, not the storm snow, though the compression test indicated likely failure of the storm snow as well. This propagated about 10' in either direction. SCS30NR2D1.

Avalanche Photos: 
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: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: