Wind Slab Avalanches on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Fri, 12/16/2016 - 00:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 50.544" N, 119° 54' 59.868" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
200ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
9 280ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
350ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
2
Number of people caught: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

We saw debris from and some evidence of the crown for this wind slab avalanche and one other at 39.314039, -119.916629. They looked to have failed with 1-2 ft crowns sometime during the night before the end of the storm. The crowns were mostly filled in by new wind loading and the debris had 6 to 10 inches of snow on it.  

Photo 1: Panorama looking down the avalanche.

Photo 2: A crack on the ridge that ran the length of the avalanche. 

Photo 3: The debris

Photo 4: Mostly filled in crown and cornices. 

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Air temperature: 
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: