Avalanche activity due to wind slab failure on the far east Ridge of Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 13:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 47.8188" N, 119° 54' 19.08" 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: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
dry,slab,
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
60ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
9 000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
60ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
4
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Ski cuts and small (oven to refridgerator sized) cornice drops released several small avalanches on steep wind-loaded slopes near treeline in this area. All of the start zones of these slides ranged from 38-44 degrees in steepness and N-NE in aspect. The failure layer was near the base of the new snow on a small change in the storm snow (about 5 cm above the old snow surface). These slabs only existed near ridgelines on wind-loaded slopes. In most of the non-wind-loaded areas about 3 inches of new snow sat on top of a melt-freeze crust. On the shaded northerly aspects this crust was not as prevalent.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: