Small Avalanche near Red Lake (Carson Pass area)

Location Name: 
north facing, forested bowl around 8,400’
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Mon, 12/09/2013 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 30.8688" N, 119° 58' 15.888" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Slope: 
35degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Width: 
20ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 400ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
30ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

No pits were dug, just some photos and an unsuccessful attempt to take a recording of the whoomping sounds.

Comments from Forecaster Andy Anderson:

This party said that the slide had already happened when they got to that slope. They had already experienced several whumpfs and collapses that day and opted to stay on low angle terrain. They skied down on a low angle slope skiers left of this small avalanche. They did report that there was a skin track below this slide when they saw it. It seems likely that the party who put in the skin track below this avalanche actually remotely triggered the avalanche and the cracks on the slope.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East