Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Occurrence

View Associated Field Report

General Information

This recent large avalanche occurred on the shoulder of Duncan Ridge in the Pioneer Mountains. It appears to be a heavily wind-loaded slope that broke on a persistent weak layer. A smaller wind slab avalanche is visible further right in the image. 10,100', WSW.

Observer:
SAC Forecaster

Verified by SAC?
Yes

Occurrence Date:
Jan 23, 2023 (+/- 1 day)

Location:
Duncan Ridge

Comments:

This avalanche failed on a heavily wind-loaded slope in steep, rocky, alpine terrain.

Avalanche Characteristics

# of Avys:
1
Aspect:
W (SW,W)
Start Zone Elev:
10100ft
Size:
D2.5
Type:
HS-Hard Slab
Trigger:
N-Natural
Bed Surface:
O-Old Snow
Width:
410ft
Comments:

Weak layer unknown. Suspect 12/19 given crown depth and aspect, but low confidence on that. Listed this as a D2.5, even though the patch wasn't huge. The crown is 400'+ wide and 1-2'+ deep

Media

This recent large avalanche occurred on the shoulder of Duncan Ridge in the Pioneer Mountains. It appears to be a heavily wind-loaded slope that broke on a persistent weak layer. A smaller wind slab avalanche is visible further right in the image. 10,100', WSW.