Avalanche near Grouse Rock

Location Name: 
Below Grouse Rock
Region: 
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Thu, 03/27/2014 - 07:35
Location Map: 
United States
39° 8' 16.9548" N, 120° 14' 17.7324" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
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: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
50ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
7 900ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
150ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
Number of partial burials: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

On skin up had noted wind from the Southwest and likelihood of wind slabs on N-NE aspects.  Skier entered zone on shoulder on skiers left of wind loaded rollover and triggered slab with first turn at convexity.  Attempted to ski across and out but caught and carried approx. 50'.  Slide didn't pick up much speed and immediately began to slow as angle of slope eased.  Skier buried thigh to waist deep and self extricated easily.  No other evidence of instability over the course of tour.

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: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: