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Natural and skier triggered avalanches on Gray Butte
Location Name:
Gray ButteRegion:
Mt. ShastaDate and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown):
Sun, 01/06/2019 - 2:30pmObservation made by:
ForecasterRed Flags:
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Location Map
96067
Mount Shasta
, CA
United States
41° 20' 44.7756" N, 122° 11' 47.6016" W
See map: Google Maps
California US
Avalanche Observations
Details
Characteristics
Avalanche Type:
SlabTrigger type:
NaturalSlope:
38degreesAspect:
NorthwestElevation:
7 500ft.Terrain:
Near TreelineWeak Layer:
Storm SnowBed Surface:
Old SnowCrown Height:
1 ftAvalanche Width:
150ft.Avalanche Length:
600ft.Number of similar avalanches:
1Number of people caught:
0Number of partial burials:
0Number of full burials:
0Weather Observations
Details
A strong winter storm has impacted the area all weekend. Saturday, upwards of a foot of snow fell. Snowfall began in earnest on Sunday (today) and greater than 1 inch an hour of low density snow accumulation was observed for most of the day. Winds were gusty at times but surprisingly absent with little effect on snowpack below and near treeline on Gray Butte.
Statistics
Cloud Cover:
100% of the sky covered by cloudsBlowing Snow:
YesPrecipitation:
SnowAccumulation rate:
Greater than 1 in. per hourAir temperature:
Below FreezingAir temperature trend:
StaticWind Speed:
LightWind Direction:
Southwest
A crown line from a natural storm slab avalanche was observed while skiing off the west/northwest facing aspect of Gray Butte, down from the radio towers and through the big trees. About half way down, the slope rolls over and opens up. This avalanche starting zone/path is a frequent flyer. The avalanche had failed at the old snow/new snow interface and was about 1 to 1.5 feet deep and had likely occurred within the last 1-3 hours. While skiing on adjacent slopes, additional small storm slab avalanches were easily triggered on the same layer. Both natural and human triggered avalanches were big enough to bury, injure or kill a person, especially with thick trees below exacerbating consequences.