angora peak avalanche

Location Name: 
Angora Peak
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 17:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 52' 16.2804" N, 120° 4' 23.6208" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
slab,
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
Northwest
Avalanche Width: 
200ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
7 800ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
800ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

I was skiing the main NW shot off Angora around 5pm today.  The run begins with a steep headwall-to-chute with some trees that I ski cut 2 times, with no wumping cracking etc.  I then dropped the chute into the apron and on my third turn out the apron the slope released approximately 50-75 feet above me.  I was able to escape the slide after an approx 200ft ride by grabbing a tree.  The slide ran pretty much the whole slope 800ft or so.  No major injuries, except some bruises from where I grabbed the tree.  To add insult to injury, one of my dogs wouldn't descend the slope and I had to bootpack up through the choke of the chute to get the dog.  On my second descent I heard wumping as I skied back onto the apron, although nothing released the second time.  I skied out adjacent to the slide.   Dumb but lucky.

Weather Observations
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