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.