Human Triggered avalanche in a closed area that hit the road on Barney's

Location Name: 
Barney's
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Fri, 02/25/2011 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 54.1812" N, 119° 52' 36.2172" 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,
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
East
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
150ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
8 080ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
300ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

This area is one of the very few areas closed to backcountry recreation in the Tahoe area due to the potential for avalanches to hit the road and endanger unsuspecting motorists. Please respect closures like this and avoid putting others at risk.

I dug a pit next to the skier triggered avalanche on Barney's that occurred on Feb 25,2011.The slide measured about 150 ft wide and 2 ft deep. It covered both lanes of Highway 431. Luckily no cars were driving by at the time. This slide failed near the base of the most recent storm snow on a density change that had strengthen some over the last 24 hours. However stability tests in the area still showed fractures at this density change remain possible.

The new snow remains soft and unconsolidated on SE-E-NE-N-NW aspects above 8000 ft in this area. The winds remained calm through 2pm and did not transport snow.

Evidence of other natural avalanches that occurred on Friday existed on far east ridge of Tamarack Peak on steep, wind-loaded N-NE facing aspects. near and above treeline.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: