Hankin awakin

Avalanche date/time

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 14:00

Estimated occurrence time of avalanche

From 12 to 24 hours ago

Number of avalanches in this report

2 to 5

The size of avalanche

2

Slab thickness

50cm

Slab width

20m

Run length

200m

Avalanche Character

• Persistent slab
• Wind slab

Trigger type

Natural

Start zone aspect

• NE

Start zone elevation band

• Alpine
• Treeline

Start zone elevation

1,550m

Start zone incline

35°

Runout zone elevation

1,315m

Weak layer crystal type

• Facets

Crust near weak layer

Yes

Wind exposure

Cross-loaded slope

Vegetation cover

Open slope

Likely within the last 12-24 hr (Monday) size 2 soft slab initiated in a steep isolated crossed-loaded gully, north aspect, starting mid track and running 200m ish. Estimated around 50cm deep, maybe 20m wide.

Of special note is this avalanche triggered a second avalanche, size one, lower down the slope, on a short and steep convex roll. The avalanche was a hard slab, under the storm snow, 60cm thick and failing on the faceted / crust combo, overlying another hard slab/surface. 80m wide, 60cm thick, 20m long.

All those avalanches that occurred prior to the recent storm seemed to be similar in nature here, ie the hard slab failing on the weak crust layer. Don’t forget about this one, hard slabs are tricky to anticipate.

Also heard but did not see a small loose snow avalanche on an east aspect, very steep and isolated terrain.

Around 30-50cm very dry snow at treeline and below around 20cm. Skiing is good! Even tho it’s deep dust on crust, it’s better than a poke in the eye :).