Steamboat & Flat Tops

Avalanche

Noel Keeffe · Dec 25, 2020 · Steamboat & Flat Tops

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Weather

25-35 F warming. Colder in the trees. Solar aspects beginning to get sun affected. 10,600ft. North Facing slope. Light wind

Snowpack

Snow heavier wetter warmer snow on sun affected slopes. Heavy wind loading on North facing slope.

Avalanche

Skier remotely triggered avalanche on North Facing heavily wind loaded face. 10,600 ft. Maybe 35 degrees. Skier hiking along top of ridge on flat ground. A loud whomph was heard and the avalanche propagated about 10-15 ft away from the closest skier. The avalanche broke from a wind loaded slab and ran the entirety of the slope. Crown 2-3ft. 80-90ft wide.