Tallac Cross Close Call

Location Name: 
Tallac Cross
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 04/15/2017 - 13:00


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Slope: 
45degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
9 700ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Number of people caught: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

I observed this incident from the bowl beneath the Cross. I had seen this party on the Tallac summit and saw them looking into the Cross to consider skiing it. There was very rapid warming, fresh snow, and clear signs of avalanche activity on various south facing aspect. The Cross had been skied mutliple times in the morning. The skier deceided to enter the Cross in the afternoon on a south facing slope. The skier took a few turns and triggered what looked like a wet/slab avalanche. This skier was extremely lucky to not have been dragged over major cliffs just beneath him. 

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skies, light wind, 40-plus degrees. Rapid warming.