Avalanche Deadwood Summit

Location Name: 
North of Blue Point Campground
Region: 
Other
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sat, 01/27/2018 - 16:00
Location Map: 
United States
44° 30' 54.0792" N, 115° 34' 31.3608" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
39degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
West
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
80ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
6 500ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
600ft.
Number of people caught: 
2
Number of partial burials: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Group of 6 recreational powder skiers stopped to ski the last pitch, 600 feet of a second run.  The slope angle increased to 38+ degrees into a gully that opened up near the bottom.  Skier #1 decended on a rib, next to a gully.  Near the bottom Skier #1 entered the run out below the gully.   Skier #2 triggered a soft storm slab upon entering the gully start zone and rode approximately 150 feet down the gully/slope.  Skier #1 was entrained in the debris while decending and partially buried up to chest in the deposition zone.

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour