Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Occurrence

General Information

This 1.5-2 foot thick avalanche released on 1/15 or 1/16 in heavily wind-loaded terrain in the Marshall Lake basin on Williams Peak in the Sawtooth Mtns. 9400', N aspect.

Observer:
Professional

Verified by SAC?
Yes

Occurrence Date:
Jan 15, 2023 (+/- 1 day)

Location:
Williams Peak - Marshall Lake basin

Comments:

Avalanche occurred in the "Pinner" slide path near the "Skier's Summit" of Williams Peak. The reporting party thought the slide was remotely triggered on Sunday 1/15/2023, but they did not observe the avalanche until Monday 1/16/2023. They are not confident in the exact time the slide occurred or the triggering mechanism: it could have been remotely triggered on 1/15, or it could have naturally released late afternoon 1/15 - late morning 1/16.

Avalanche Characteristics

# of Avys:
1
Aspect:
N
Start Zone Elev:
9400ft
Size:
D2
Type:
U-Unknown
Trigger:
U-Unknown
Depth:
1.5ft
Width:
200ft
Vertical Fall:
1000ft
Comments:

The slide was in very steep, obviously wind-loaded terrain immediately beneath a cornice. The debris was dirty and had remnants of small trees or parts of trees in it, likely due to the relatively wide crown running over exposed rock ribs with small trees.

Media

This 1.5-2 foot thick avalanche released on 1/15 or 1/16 in heavily wind-loaded terrain in the Marshall Lake basin on Williams Peak in the Sawtooth Mtns. 9400', N aspect.