Avalanche: Wedding Ring Ridge

Observer Name
Brett Kobernik
Observation Date
Monday, December 25, 2017
Avalanche Date
Monday, December 25, 2017
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Left Fork Huntington Canyon » Wedding Ring Ridge
Location Name or Route
Far east side of Wedding Ring
Elevation
9,600'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
34°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
12"
Width
80'
Vertical
100'
Comments

5 inches of higher density snow coupled with stronger wind has now created a slab over the early season faceted sugar snow that is obviously sensitive and active. The bed surface was the Thanksgiving glacier crust.

This avalanche released sometime early this morning as the storm was ending. It was quite a small slide but it definitely demonstrates what is going on. Also interesting was that the starting zone was under 35˚ in steepness by just a bit.

As we approached the avalanche on skis, the snow continually collapsed in fairly good sized "whumpfs" and shooting cracks. There are no doubt more north facing slopes out there that could easily be triggered by a person.

Comments

Deepest part of the crown was 15".

Coordinates