2/6/21 - Glidden Ridge - Storm Slab Avalanche

Location Name: 
Glidden Ridge
Region: 
Silver Valley Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 02/06/2021 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
47° 31' 55.5636" N, 115° 42' 13.5792" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Slope: 
30degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
Southwest
Weak Layer: 
Other - explain below
Avalanche Width: 
110ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
6 200ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
80ft.
Number of people caught: 
1
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

2/6/2021 - Group of 4 skiers (+ 1 Dog) decended the SSW aspect of Glidden Ridge during a heavy storm cycle that brought a considerable amount of new snow to the Silver Valley. The aspect the skiers chose to deascend is mostly low angle <30 degrees. However there are small pockets of terrain that creep in to the 30 degree slope angle. This avalanche was on one of those small pockets of terrain just steep enough to slide. During decent, a skier made a hard stop near trees just above a meadow which triggered the storm slab avalanche. The slab slid on the buried surface hoar that developed in the 2nd 1/2 of January just above the ice crust that developed on Jan 12th/13th. The slab broke just above the skier and carried the skier a short distance where they were able to self-arrest. The other skiers were still uphill of the skier and heard the avalanche call and radio confirmation. They proceeded cautiously to re-group with the skier and observe the recent avalanche.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: