Goat Ridge Basin
Avalanchecprotheroe · Apr 15, 2023 · Sky Pilot
Quick report
- Weather
- warm, stormy, wet
- Ride Type
- steepSlopes, openTrees
- Riding Quality
- ok
- Snow Conditions
- heavy
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSnow
Size 1 slide triggered at the base of the Goat Ridge couloirs
Weather
- Avg Temp
- -1
- Sky Condition
- overcast
- Snowfall Rate
- 1
- Precipitation Type
- snow
Avalanche
- Run Length
- 50
- Slab Width
- 80
- Trigger Type
- skier
- Avalanche Size
- 1.5
- Slab Thickness
- 30
- Trigger Sub Type
- accidental
- Start Zone Aspect
- N
- Start Zone Incline
- 35
- Avalanche Character
- stormSlab
- Number Of Avalanches
- 1
- Start Zone Elevation
- 1500
- Start Zone Elevation Band
- tln
- Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
- 2023-04-15T21:00:00.000Z
Performed several hand-shear tests at the base of a Goat Ridge couloir, which all failed sudden planar as soon as they were isolated (only cut, no prying). Failure surface appeared to be the very recent storm layer, about 30-45cm deep at this location, which was likely receiving additional loading from above (snow falling off cliffs above). The interface appeared to be another loosely consolidated storm slab from 1 or 2 days before, down another 30cm. This lower layer was not reactive. Started to ski back and immediately triggered a size ~1.5 slab, approximately 80m wide, 20-30cm crown, running about 50m. Visibility was very low, so size was difficult to judge. No one was affected. Note that the slab problem from tests and avalanche appeared to be isolated to the couloir fan. All other snow encountered that day was much more unconsolidated.