Public Field Report
Observation Details
Observation Date:
April 1, 2023Submitted:
April 1, 2023Zone or Region:
Challis Area and Lost RiversActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Merrimack Gulch near Garden CreekTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few treesElevation:
7700Aspect:
NEComments:
Remote triggered an avalanche while ascending almost as soon as the slope angle increased to 30 degrees. Began with slow thundering collapse in all directions. Several seconds later heard trees breaking in half and falling from the avalanche 300 feet above me, in an adjacent drainage to the SW. No cracking on the snow surface on the slope I was ascending. 3-5 ft deep crown. D2.5 with limited visibility. The avalanche released in 2 phases. The second sympathetic release left sections of crown 4-5 feet deep and broke trees. I promptly exited the area.Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few treesElevation:
7900-7500 ftAspect:
NEComments:
Avalanche ran to valley bottom. 3-5 ft crown. Remote triggered from other side of the ridge, about 100 yards away from track. 2nd sympathetic slide was about 300 yard away.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
Very touchy avalanche conditions throughout the east central mountains. I expect to see widespread natural avalanches in the area if the snowpack gets another .5” SWE or more by tomorrow.
Media
