Public Observation

Observation Date:

March 7, 2023

Submitted:

March 7, 2023

Zone or Region:

Mammoth Lakes

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Wind slab Punta Bardini

Touring in the Sherwins today I noticed two crowns and subsequent debris in the Main Chute of Punta Bardini. Winds were transporting snow at ridge line today and there was evidence of wind effect throughout our tour to tele-bowls.

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Hard Slab

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

9600'

Aspect:

NE

Comments:

Main Punta Bardini Chute - SS-U-D1.5-R2-NE-9600-40°
Unknown trigger however there were ski tracks in the chute, so potentially skier triggered.
There were two separate crowns with debris running ~500ft.
Flagging and active loading was observed on the ridge crest. Avalanche observed was presumably a wind slab running in the new snow.

None reported