An extensive Avalanche Cycle

An extensive Avalanche Cycle

Date
Activity
Snowmobiling

Riding around Lionhead and into the back bowls revealed an extensive avalanche cycle that occurred with the Avalanche Warning 2 days ago. Some slides were hard to see since they were buried in snow while others were more fresh. Crown lines near the ridges, debris piles at the bottom of slopes, and debris pushed high onto trees were evidence of the recent activity. Many slopes avalanched; more than we've ever seen in this area.

We dug in 1 crown and measured 11" of SWE above the weak layer (1mm facets) that avalanched. Every weak layer has a breaking point, and this layer needed about 11 feet of snowfall to get it to avalanche.

 

 

Region
Lionhead Range
Observer Name
Doug Chabot