Avalanche Observation
• 15. Apr 14:00 • Wet slab avalanche • 3 - Large • Human triggered • E-facing • Avalanche release at 162 masl and ended at 85 masl • Buried weak layer of faceted snow beneath a crust • 100 cm high and 300 m wide fracture • Lee side • suspected skier-trigger/influence. Could be natural, but there were fresh ski tracks very close to the slide.
Convex, unsupported slope, 40 degrees. Previously wind-loaded. Classic avalanche release terrain.
Danger Sign
• Much water in the snow • Under 400m
Snow Cover
• Wet • Snowpack at 130m wet to bottom. Surface layers turning moist at 400-500m.
Avalanche Problems
• Wet slab avalanche • Buried weak layer of faceted snow beneath a crust • Easy to trigger • 3 - Large • Few steep slopes E, SE, S, SW, W below 500 masl • Water in snow is disintegrating the crust layers and making triggering avalanches on buried, wet facet layers possible.