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Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Occurrence

General Information

Photo of a very large triggered avalanche that resulted in a fatality on Friday, February 19th, near the head of Smiley Creek. The snowmobile track of the victim is visible in the center of the photo. The rider was carried downhill and found on the surface at the indicated location. The avalanche released on a south aspect at 9100'.

Observer:
SAC Forecaster

Verified by SAC?
Yes

Occurrence Date:
Feb 19, 2021 10:50 am (Exact)

Location:
Smiley Creek

Comments:

A snowmobiler triggered a very large avalanche while climbing the slope. His track is visible in the photos. He was caught and carried at least 600 vertical feet. The rider had deployed his airbag, was found by his partners on the surface, and was determined to have died due to injuries incurred during the avalanche. The avalanche ran into a well-defined gully that acted as a terrain trap, and debris piled up to an estimated depth of 20-30 feet. A full accident report will be completed in the upcoming days.

Avalanche Characteristics

# of Avys:
1
Aspect:
S (S,SE)
Start Zone Elev:
9100ft
Size:
D2.5
Type:
HS-Hard Slab
Trigger:
AM-Snowmobile
u-Unintentional
Bed Surface:
O-Old Snow
Depth:
3.5ft
Width:
500ft
Vertical Fall:
1000ft
Weak Layer:
Jan 27, 2021 (FCsf)
Comments:

Start zone was not accessed to measure slope angle. Appeared to be in the upper 30 degree range. The avalanche failed on a very thin layer of facets atop a thick melt-freeze crust. This layer was buried on January 27, and on this slope had been subsequently loaded by new and wind-transported snow

Impacts

Human Involvement:
1 - Caught
1 - Killed
Vehicle Involvement:
None Reported
Structure Involvement:
None Reported
Comments:

Media

Photo of a very large triggered avalanche that resulted in a fatality on Friday, February 19th, near the head of Smiley Creek. The snowmobile track of the victim is visible in the center of the photo. The rider was carried downhill and found on the surface at the indicated location. The avalanche released on a south aspect at 9100'.
Photo of a very large triggered avalanche that resulted in a fatality on Friday, February 19th, near the head of Smiley Creek. The snowmobile track of the victim is visible in the center of the photo. The avalanche released on a south aspect at 9100'.
Looking up the slide path.
Debris piled up an estimate 20-30' deep in the gully beneath the starting zone.
Looking at the crown on the lower right side of the avalanche.
Looking down the avalanche path from the start zone.

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