Castle NE Windslabs, still active wind-loading today

Location Name: Castle Peak Region: Donner Summit Area Observation Date & Time: Friday, February 12, 2021 - 13:15
Location: 39.366412, -120.351180 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Rapid or Prolonged Warming Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Strong Sunshine Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Warm Temperatures Recent Loading›Blowing Snow

Observation made by: Guide at International Alpine Guides

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Toured up Castle Peak today and found 12" of dense storm snow. Warm temps created a lot of sticky snow and tree drippings (even in typically shady areas) made for tricky skiing at low elevations. We observed multiple wind slab avalanches on the NE side of Castle Peak that appear to have run naturally but could only get a good photo of 1 near the ridgeline. The start zones were being actively re-loaded by the day's wind.

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Above Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Wind Slab

Additional number of similar avalanches:

Trigger

Trigger:

Natural

Terrain

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

8800'

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R2 Small

People Involved

Number of people caught:

Number of partial burials:

Number of full burials:

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Castle NE Windslabs, still active wind-loading today

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Castle NE Windslabs, still active wind-loading today

Conditions Alerts:

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