Wet Snow Avalanche Tallac Cross

Location Name: 
Mt. Tallac Cross
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 04/15/2017 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 21.4668" N, 120° 5' 53.6928" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Avalanche Width: 
20ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
9 700ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
500ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Skier entered the cross from skiers left (north) along a spine with tracks on it. About 4-6 turns in, skier set off a 1' deep wet snow avalanche about 20' wide that caught the skier. Skier traversed out and watched it widen and continue down the cross and out of sight. Transitional snow on harder layer underneath. Multiple tracks present in the cross with no signs of slide activity. 

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West