Avalanche partial burial at Manzanita Bowl, Slide Mtn

Location Name: 
Lower Manzanita Bowl
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 01/21/2017 - 13:05
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 10.8792" N, 119° 52' 18.7284" 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
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Snowboarder
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
South
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
7 500ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
400ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
1
Number of people caught: 
1
Number of partial burials: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

A snowboarder was reported lost and missing yesterday at just after 11 am. I was skiing with a Washoe County Search and Rescue member, and we had seen the snowboarder not make the turn to come back in bounds at Mt. Rose Ski Area after entering through a Backcountry Access Gate. After his friends reported him missing we followed his tracks through hazardous terrain starting a small slide on a control turn (see pic). We then picked our way down carefully until his tracks entered a large debris zone scattered on a 35 to 40 degree slope along a 400 foot path. The victim dug himself out and continued on toward Washoe Valley where he was later found shaken, but alive and well. This victim was very lucky considering the weather and avalanche conditions and his lack of preparation, i.e.  no food, water, headlamp, avalanche gear or extra clothing.

Avalanche Photos: 
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: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour