Mt Judah slide

Location Name: 
Mt Judah just outside the sugarbowl boundary
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Wed, 03/26/2014 - 17:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 29.5308" N, 120° 19' 7.4892" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Trigger type: 
Natural
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Unknown
Avalanche Width: 
50ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
7 700ft.
Bed Surface: 
Unknown
Avalanche Length: 
40ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Wind slab natural failure near the top of Judah express just outside sugarbowl boundary. Very heavy snowfall rates and wind loading observed around 6pm with a wind slab failure and some older looking cornice debris. Small zone of avalanche terrain that flattens very quickly.  Also observed shooting cracks in wind loaded areas near the summit where the trees open up near the radio repeater. Shooting crack failure occurred on old snow interface. Poorly bonded with new snow. Unsure of the details on slide interface as I didn't want to approach it but imagine it was the same. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Was out skiing from 4 until 630. Storm seemed to really be picking up force as time went on. Debris was fresh as my skinner was getting filled in and hard to follow on successive laps.