Observation type
Avalanche

Observer
Anonymous

Location (general area)
Mount San Antonio, "Baldy Bowl chute 13"

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
2021/03/13

Time
9:00am

Road conditions to area
Plowed with a thin icy layer of snow in the morning 

Temperature
30s

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
South East

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
35-45

Elevation
9364

Snow depth
2 ft 

Boot/ Ski penetration
1ft with snow shoes 

Precipitation
None

Activity, recent avalanches
No

Brief description
One loud whump/ cracking noise. Visible crack around us, collapsing about a minute later 

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
yes

Rapid warming
no

Obvious avalanche path
no

Terrain trap
no

Comment
We (group of 5) began from Manker Flats at 5:20am, up the Ski Hut Trail. Followed boot steps the whole way. At the Ski Hut (1:52 later) we ran into a friend. He join us along with another solo climber. We began ascending the bowl. 2 other climbers were ahead. The snow was very soft and dry. My pole and ice axe poked through with very little resistance, going all the way to the rock and dirt. I made several football sized balls that weighed very little. We put on our snowshoes shortly after ascending the bowl. We quickly caught up and passed the two climbers ahead which only had boots. We headed towards "chute 13", (the chute to the right of the traditional route). The entire way was a slog. We kept single file. As we entered the chute, I could see at least 20 more people following our route, the majority still at the base of the bowl. The pace slowed. Our initial group of 5 were leading the way, I was 5th in line. At approximately 9:00am, maybe 1/3 of the way into the chute, we heard a loud whump/cracking sound. We were all concerned. I looked around and saw a huge crack had formed around us. We decided we needed to get off this area as soon as possible. We attempted to scramble but our steps went nowhere. Our steps were waddling on loose snow. That's when I saw bodies coming towards me and all the snow around me give away. Looked and felt like a wave of snow and people taking me away. I tumbled horizontally, being submerged in the snow, swallowing snow, my ice axe ripped from my hand, tumbled above the snow, being engulfed again, coming back to the surface then stopping partially buried. I managed to free myself rather easily. As soon as I realized I wasn't ok, my focus turned to looking for my friends. We were all scattered. The people ahead of me ended up furthest down. Once all were accounted for, we made our way down. Almost everyone had minor injuries. Some were bleeding. Some had trouble walking. A group rushed towards someone that was bleeding. I did not see the person but saw blood in the debris. Passed by 4 new faces that were also caught up in the avalanche. One friend had a leg injury. I carried her pack all the way down. I could feel my right knee in pain. My left elbow, my right ankle, my right hand all hurt. I helped guide 2 of my friends back to Manker Flats. On our descent along the Ski Hut Trail, a helicopter flew towards the bowl, left quickly, returned later but never landed or helped in any way. We were all able to drive home. Later that day I felt as if a truck ran over me.

Photo Description
These pictures were taken the next day not by the person reporting

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

Crown photo from the next day

Crown closer up 2' - 3'

Slide path looking up