Hartley Creek

Incident

bradhurkett · Dec 19, 2020 · Lizard

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Quick report

Weather
warm, cloudy
Ride Type
openTrees, alpineSlopes, mellowSlopes
Stayed Away
convexSlopes
Riding Quality
good
Snow Conditions
powder
Avalanche Conditions
avalancheConditionSlab, avalancheConditionSound

Weather

Avg Temp
0
Sky Condition
brokenClouds
Wind Direction
SW
Temperature Trend
falling

Avalanche

Run Length
250
Slab Width
29
Trigger Type
skier
Wind Exposure
crossLoadedSlope
Avalanche Size
2
Slab Thickness
35
Trigger Sub Type
accidental
Start Zone Aspect
SW
Vegetation Cover
openSlope
Start Zone Incline
33
Avalanche Character
stormSlab, windSlab
Crust Near Weak Layer
1
Number Of Avalanches
1
Start Zone Elevation
2100
Runout Zone Elevation
1900
Avalanche Observation
12to24hrsAgo
Weak Layer Crystal Type
stormSnow
Start Zone Elevation Band
alp
Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
2020-12-19T16:18:00

Incident

Group Size
2
Terrain Trap
gullyDepression
Group Activity
skiing
Number Involved
1
Number Caught Only
1
Snow Depth Trigger Point
shallow
Terrain Shape Trigger Point
convex

Skier triggered a size 2 soft slab avalanche on cross loaded/crust slope. Avalanche initiated at shallow point (boulder) in snowpack and propagated underneath skier. Fortunately skier was cutting the slope in a favorable direction away from the slide and was able to ski to cover without injury. Avalanche released multiple cross loaded features lower down on the slope that produced enough snow to bury a person.