Image 1 of 9 Of: Avalanche Observation Copyright: Rachael
Image 2 of 9 Of: Avalanche Observation Copyright: Rachael
Image 3 of 9 Of: Avalanche Observation Copyright: Rachael
Image 4 of 9 Of: Danger Sign Copyright: Rachael Comment: Cracks where from poorly bonded wind slab, this sight was monitored throughout the day and no avalanche activity was recorded.
Image 5 of 9 Of: Avalanche Activity Copyright: Rachael
Image 6 of 9 Of: Avalanche Activity Copyright: Rachael
Image 7 of 9 Of: Avalanche Activity Copyright: Rachael
Image 8 of 9 Of: Snow Cover Copyright: Rachael
Image 9 of 9 Of: Tests Copyright: Rachael
Avalanche Observation
• 5. Feb 09:10–09:10 (+01:00) • Dry slab avalanche • 1 - Small • Human triggered • SE-facing • Avalanche release at 1080 masl and ended at 1053 masl • Poor bonding between layers in wind deposited snow • 25 cm high and 20 m wide fracture • Steep slope • A known danger zone in ski area, above the T Trekk we had ski cut the area twice and one skier had skied skiers left of start zone. 2nd skier skied a managed to hit the 'sweet spot' fractured 1m above the skier on the convex role.
Incident
• Skiresort, off-piste • Lives in municipality • Many times on the trip before • Everyone in the group • Self rescue • Descending • 1 • 0 • 0 • 0 • 0 • Ski patrol carrying out avalanche work (ski cut) before the opening of the resort. First skier skied down and was in an 'island of safety'second skier skied and realeased the avalanche. Skier was knocked off skis and fell head down the slope, transported for a couple of meters. When the avalanche slowed down, she was partially buried and able to clear her airways. 1st skier was collected by Skipatrol on scooter who was also watching the ski cutting. 1st skier was taken up above the avalanche and skied down to help the buried ski patroller. The ski cutting was carried out in a safe a professional manner, all workers had avi equipment and air bags (airbag was not deployed), 3rd patroller was on snow scooter watching from below so the buried ski patroller was reached within minutes of the incident.
Danger Sign
• Shooting cracks • Area: In this mountain side. Description: I was expecting to see more shotting cracks but I only found significant cracks at a specific location on the mountain direct east facing, 1100m convex roll.
Avalanche Activity
• 5. Feb. 18-24 (+01:00) • Cornice • One (1). 2 - Medium. Spontaneous release • Few steep slopes. NE, E, SE. Above unknown masl • The cornice has been developing during this storm cycle and naturally triggered at sometime in the past 24 hours
Snow Cover
• 200 cm • Moderate snow drift • 15 cm • Much loose snow (10-30cm) • Dry • Very Good • Wind has very heavily influenced the distribution of snow, ridge lines at upper elevations have been stripped to ice. Gully's and leeward features have gathered a lot of snow.
Weather
• No precipitation • -5 °C • 2.5 m/s from W → • 70% clouds
Tests
• ECTN17@26cm(RP) • Medium • At fracture layer we found very small (0.3-0.5mm) thought to be RG possible RGwp
Snow Profile
• E • 22° • 1 test connected to snow profile • We chose this area as it was safer than the aspect and angle that we had seen being reactive today. Time - 1415 • Persistent weak layer: below slab • 14 temperature points observed
Avalanche Danger Assessment
• I think the avalanche danger today was set correctly at 3, we saw two skier triggered avalanches on some steep unsupported slopes down 25cm, both size 1. • I think the soft wind slab will settle and we won't see the same problem tomorrow. More snow is forecast for tomorrow but with light winds, unsure of how this will bond to the surface snow. • 3 Considerable • Forecast correct
