Point release on Fireplug

Location Name: 
Fireplug
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Fri, 01/25/2013 - 14:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 27.9516" N, 119° 54' 13.9356" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
wet,loose,
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Other - explain below
Aspect: 
East
Weak Layer: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Width: 
15ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
9 000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
300ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Observed a decent sized point release that ran almost the full length of Fireplug above the Mt. Rose Highway. It was able to entrain quite a bit of snow by the bottom, spreading out to about 15 feet wide and 30 feet long. Certainly enough to knock someone over and cover them if they were caught by surprise. It looked like it was triggered by a person on snowshoes ascending the across the face.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

 Conditions this morning are much colder temps than yesterday and increasing winds. Mid level clouds just above ride tops are racing across the sky. Snow conditions have definitely firmed up a lot today and in areas where the surface is smooth the potential for long sliding falls is high.