Accident: Hunters Cave, South Ridge

Observer Name
Nalli, Pagnucco, Weed, Everett
Observation Date
Friday, February 6, 2015
Avalanche Date
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Region
Logan » Logan River » Tony Grove » Hunters Cave, South Ridge
Location Name or Route
Naomi Peak Area
Elevation
9,200'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
39°
Trigger
Snowmobiler
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
2.5'
Width
300'
Vertical
200'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Accident and Rescue Summary
Details unclear and incident unreported. Looks like a rider was caught and lost his sled in this avalanche. At least a set of tracks entering avalanche, near the right flank of the crown, and foot tracks down the bed surface on the right flank leading to apparently caried sled. Several other fresh sled tracks noted on the debris as well. photos are from a rescue practice in the avalanche on 2-7-2015
Comments

Just one of over a dozen sled triggered slides form the last few days.

Comments

Pit dug adjacent to upper right flank of sled triggered slide from 2/5. Judging from tracks and foot prints, its likely that the second rider on the slope triggered the slide from the apex of the high mark and jumped off of the slab sending the sled for the ride. Close one. Weak layer was a thin layer of NSF that formed from low density snow that fell around Jan 28. This sat on a slick bed surface of rime crust.

Comments

Examining the avalanche on 2-6-2015.

Video
Coordinates