Ursus Minor sz 2.5

Quick report

Weather

sunny

Ride Type

alpineSlopes

Stayed Away

sunnySlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

powder

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionTemp

Tour to video peak. Observed rain crust down 10-15cms up to 2200m where it started to disappear. Sun crust observed on S SW aspect starting around 2290m. Dug a pit below video at 2370m, East aspect, 24 degree slope, thermometer read 0 degrees in shade (significantly different to forecast temp). 3 column tests produced variable results. 1st was sudden planar down 60cm on what looked like decomposing surface hoar. 2nd was CTH 30 resistant planar down 40 on unidentified layer. 3rd was CTM 16 down 80 on facet layer. 2 other groups dug pits in similar locations with very mixed results. At the top of video around 12:30 we observed a sz 2.5 skier triggered avalanche off the South West face of Ursus Minor below the summit. It ran over the cliff face and into the gulley feature below. Start zone looked very shallow with rocks poking out and was significantly sun affected.

Avalanche

Run Length

250

Slab Width

70

Trigger Type

skier

Avalanche Size

2.5

Trigger Sub Type

accidental

Start Zone Aspect

S, SW

Vegetation Cover

openSlope

Avalanche Character

persistentSlab

Number Of Avalanches

1

Start Zone Elevation Band

alp

Avalanche Occurrence Datetime

2023-12-12T20:30:00.040Z

Incident

Terrain Trap

cliff

Group Activity

skiing

Snow Depth Trigger Point

shallow

Terrain Shape Trigger Point

unsupported