Yak Ridge - Avalanche

Avalanche

DontBeAJerryJerry · Mar 1, 2021 · Coquihalla

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Observation photo 1

Avalanche

Run Length
70
Slab Width
50
Trigger Type
skier
Avalanche Size
2
Slab Thickness
15
Trigger Sub Type
remote
Start Zone Aspect
N, NE
Trigger Distance
5
Vegetation Cover
sparseTrees
Start Zone Incline
25
Avalanche Character
windSlab, stormSlab
Number Of Avalanches
1
Start Zone Elevation
1730
Avalanche Observation
12hrsAgo
Weak Layer Crystal Type
stormSnow
Start Zone Elevation Band
alp
Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
2021-02-28T19:00:00.000Z

Heavy winds are moving snow S to N. S aspect was extremely wind effected. As we made our way into the N aspect and into the 1700m elevation the wind increased and the snow became worrisome. We decided to transition and on the first pitch from the transition the storm/wind slab fractured a few meters away from the skied turns as the second skier descended along the treeline, propagating across the slope. The snow moved with good power and could have easily swept and buried a skier.