Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheAnonymous · Apr 17, 2020
Weather
Sunny around 30 degrees f and light winds at ridgetop out of the south. No snow was observed being transported.
Snowpack
Deep dense snowpack with up to 30” of new snow. Observed evidence of numerous small loose dry avalanches on north through east aspects in very steep terrain. These all occurred during the storm and had an estimated 4-8” of fresh snow on top of them. For the most part and generally speaking, the snow was stable with no cracking or collapsing observed throughout ride except for small avalanche described below on ridge feature.
Avalanche
Small wind slab (r1 d1) avalanche triggered by a snowmobile on a north facing ridge. Wind slab below ridge top was very sensitive. Rider descended down ridge and veered left. Snow fractured to riders right. Slab estimated 50 feet wide and moved 30 feet down. Crown estimated from 6”-24”. Estimated slope angle 37-40 degrees. Thankfully rider was not caught or buried to any extent.