Multiple Small Avalanches on Tallac

Location Name: 
Moraine below The Cross on Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Observation Date & Time: 
Friday, March 27, 2020 - 04:00
Location: 
38.905805, -120.095312
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
Yes


Conditions Alerts:

  • Avalanche Activity

Terrain Alerts: 
Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees
Terrain Matches the Advisory
Observation made by: Public

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Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

Avalanches occurred on terrain in the large moraine below The Cross, on NE aspects below tree line. The first avalanche was relatively small and was accidentally triggered, breaking above the skier. The skier was taken off their feet for a ride of about 100' to a bench. A second, larger avalanche (D2) was triggered on the next slope below, with an intentional ski cut. This avalanche crown was 300' wide and ran 100' vertical feet. No avalanches were observed during numerous laps on the upper mountain, so these came as a surprise to the party. Each avalanche ran on a graupel layer, buried 6-16" below the surface.

Hide Terrain Details
Terrain: elevations: 
Below Treeline
Terrain: aspects: 
NE
Hide Avalanche Details
Avalanche Type: 
Persistent Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
Additional number of similar avalanches: 
1
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
Skier
Trigger Modifier: 
Accidentally Triggered
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35degrees
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
below-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
50ft.
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
100ft.
Hide People Involved
Number of people caught: 
1
Number of partial burials: 
1
Number of full burials: 
0
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