Observation type
Avalanche Observer John Drollinger Keep me anonymous if published no Location (general area) Snow Valley Bear Canyon Date (yyyymmdd) 20170118 Time 10am Road conditions to area Dry Temperature low 40s Sky clear (no clouds) Wind speed Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion) Wind direction not observed Slope aspect North East Slope angle 40 Elevation 7800 Snow depth 24 inches Boot/ Ski penetration boot top Precipitation None Activity, recent avalanches yes Brief description Major wet slide probably triggered by roller ball or tree ice fall Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing no Rapid warming no Obvious avalanche path yes Terrain trap yes Comment Rather destructive and dangerous avalanche evidence considering low tide conditions, this was Jan 13 storm (20 inch reported) sliding on Dec 24 (27 inch reported) melt freeze bed surface. Slide path was about 700 vertical feet long. Debris field was probably 10 feet deep at spots and set up like a rock hard pile of concrete blocks. This is a very steep (45 at top) and extremely sun-sheltered zone that receives lots of NE wind (coming from Big Bear Lake) at top. First 100 feet into chute required very delicate side stepping with ice ax (I might have rappelled in if I had rope, would not have entered without ice ax), next 1200 feet were exhilarating knee deep turns until the snow ran out. Skinned up Apron for 200 feet then boot packed up slide path with cramp ons. This unpretensive little side country stash required strong to expert alpine & backcountry skills, quite a contrast from the adjacent mostly beginner scene. |
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