Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Occurrence

View Associated Field Report

General Information

This large avalanche released above the E Fork of the Big Wood on a NW aspect at 8,600'. The avalanche ran about 1,800 vertical feet, stopping 2/3 of the way down the track. The slab initiated in wind-loaded terrain and appears to have failed on weak snow buried by snowfall since Sunday (2/26). A similar but smaller pocket released in a neighboring gully to the lookers left. This slide was obscured by new snow and likely released during intense snowfall overnight on the 28th or early on the 1st.

Observer:
SAC Forecaster

Verified by SAC?
Yes

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

Location:
E Fork Big Wood - Minebender paths

Comments:

The slab initiated in wind-loaded terrain and appears to have failed on weak snow buried by snowfall since Sunday (2/26).

A similar but smaller pocket released in a neighboring gully to the looker's left. This slide was obscured by new snow and likely released during intense snowfall overnight on the 28th or early on the 1st.

Avalanche Characteristics

# of Avys:
1
Aspect:
NW
Start Zone Elev:
8600ft
Size:
D2
Type:
SS-Soft Slab
Trigger:
N-Natural
Bed Surface:
I-New/Old Interface
Width:
410ft
Vertical Fall:
1800ft

Media

This large avalanche released above the E Fork of the Big Wood on a NW aspect at 8,600'. The avalanche ran about 1,800 vertical feet, stopping 2/3 of the way down the track. The slab initiated in wind-loaded terrain and appears to have failed on weak snow buried by snowfall since Sunday (2/26). A similar but smaller pocket released in a neighboring gully to the lookers left. This slide was obscured by new snow and likely released during intense snowfall overnight on the 28th or early on the 1st.
This large avalanche released above the E Fork of the Big Wood on a NW aspect at 8,600'. The avalanche ran about 1,800 vertical feet, stopping 2/3 of the way down the track. The slab initiated in wind-loaded terrain and appears to have failed on weak snow buried by snowfall since Sunday (2/26). A similar but smaller pocket released in a neighboring gully to the lookers left. This slide was obscured by new snow and likely released during intense snowfall overnight on the 28th or early on the 1st.