Sluff slide, skier triggered on Porcupine Ridge

Location Name: 
Porcupine Ridge
Region: 
East Shore Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 13:02
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 52.0848" N, 119° 52' 40.9764" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Avalanche Width: 
40ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
7 400ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
150ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

2 Skiers exited the Folstone Backcountry Gate from Heavenly.  We skied to Monument Pass and skinned up Porcupine Ridge to the second drainage.  We chose to ski a NE aspect line.  Approx. 1200' into the ski we encountered a cliff band and chose to traverse right and ski a ~50' chute type feature.  When the skier entered this feature, a loose/dry sluff was triggered and carried the skier ~15' and the skier was able to ski out safely.  The slide ran anothher ~135'.  The snow appeared to break on a density change in the 1/22/17 storm snow ~6-8" deep.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: