Public Observation

Observation Date:

March 20, 2022

Submitted:

March 20, 2022

Zone or Region:

Mammoth Lakes

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Lakes Basin above McLoud Lake - Small Avalanches

4-5” of new snow in sheltered trees. Triggered two small avalanches in northerly facing terrain, one described below under the large cliff bands above tree line, and another midway down the trees in very steep cliffy terrain that was a loose-dry slough that started quite small but entrained a bit of snow. No one caught. Winds were very strong at ridgeline out of the north, mid slope above tree line they were cross slope more moderate to strong out of the west.

Did you trigger any avalanches?

Yes

Was it intentional?

No

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

Above treeline

Aspect:

N

Comments:

Triggered this while going up the slope, released about 150ft above after Seeing a crack going diagonaly up the slope. Fairy slow moving, debris stopped just uphill of us. 50’ wide, ran ~150’, fist hard windslab 3-12” deep ontop of a couple cm fist layer of small facets ontop of quite firm snow.

Photos:

Did you see shooting cracks?

Yes, Isolated

Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing?

No