Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Occurrence

General Information

This small wind slab released E of Bellevue on a cross-loaded NE aspect at 7,400'. The crown was only a foot thick but entrained weak, faceted snow as it moved down slope. The debris pile was large enough to bury a person.

Observer:
SAC Forecaster

Verified by SAC?
Yes

Occurrence Date:
Jan 24, 2023 (+/- 1 day)

Location:
Lookout Mountain

Comments:

NW winds cross-loaded this gulley, releasing a wind slab. The crown was less than a foot thick and entrained sugary facets along the way. This small wind slab produced a substantial amount of debris to bury a person.

Avalanche Characteristics

# of Avys:
1
Aspect:
NE
Start Zone Elev:
7400ft
Size:
D2
Type:
HS-Hard Slab
Trigger:
N-Natural
Vertical Fall:
600ft

Media

This small wind slab released E of Bellevue on a cross-loaded NE aspect at 7,400'. The crown was only a foot thick but entrained weak, faceted snow as it moved down slope. The debris pile was large enough to bury a person.