Site assessment of avalanche near Elephant's Back

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 12/13/2014 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 44.9976" N, 119° 58' 44.67" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
120ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
8 900ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
270ft.
Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Avalanche Photos: 
Avalanche observation video: 

20141214 Site investigation avalanche near Elephant's Back, CA

Weather Observations
More detailed information about the weather: 

Site assessment of Dec 13 skier triggered avalanche indicates that the weak layer was still reactive at the crown 23 hours later. Weak layer was confirmed as a lower density layer of storm snow below higher density wind slab. Crown averaged 20 cm with a max depth of 35 cm at the crown profile location. Many other nearby slopes of similar elevation, aspect, slope angle, and previous wind loading held numerous ski and snowboard tracks. No signs of other recent avalanche activity in the area.

Photo 1: Overview photo of avalanche.

Photo 2: Looking along crown towards trigger point from crown profile location.