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Wind Slab Avalanche in Sun Bowl

Location Name: 
Sun Bowl
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Tue, 01/30/2018 - 6:15pm
Observation made by: 
Public
Red Flags:
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 22' 11.8416" N, 122° 12' 55.6524" W
See map: Google Maps
California US

Avalanche Observations

Details

Recent wind slab activity in Sun Bowl, 8,700 ft, SE facing - 38-40 degree slope on Tuesday, January 30th at 10:15am. HS-N-D1.5 to D2 observed. Debris piles up to 3-4 ft+ deep. Ran approximately 400-500 vertical feet. Some cornice triggering and/or involvement likely. 

Characteristics

Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Trigger type: 
Natural
Slope: 
38degrees
Aspect: 
Southeast
Elevation: 
8 700ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Weak Layer: 
Unknown
Bed Surface: 
Unknown
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Avalanche Width: 
400ft.
Avalanche Length: 
800ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
2
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0

Weather Observations

Details

Major wind loading observed in the alpine yesterday with moderate loading continuing today. Unknown if the warm temps yesterday was a causal or contributing factor.  Debris looked dry, so likely occurred during cooler temps. 

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Wind Direction: 
Northwest