Wet Avalanche South Face of Ralston Ridge

Location Name: 
South facing slope near Mt. Ralston below Cup Lake
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 13:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 33.2436" N, 120° 5' 13.83" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
wet,loose,
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
8 500ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
1 000ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

I made 6 or 7 turns below cup lake, but became nervous when I could feel the wet snow slipping on a hard surface.  I decided to traverse back over to less steep terrain and brush, and triggered the avalanche whiile traversing. It was very slow moving.  I decided the safest way down at that poing was to follow the avy path, at first going back and forth across it when it was small, then going along side, ready to move into the path if it slipped. 

 

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