Avalanche: Douglas Island

Location: Backside of Showboat

Date:
Observer:
Anonymous
Route & General Observations

Skinned up the showboat skin track. Continued up ridge apx. 100ft to drop into the high point of a line on the backside, “boat show”.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierAvalanche Type Soft Slab
Aspect EastElevation 2300ft
Slope Angle 35degCrown Depth 12in
Width 125ftVertical Run 350ft
Avalanche Details

Pit at the top of the line produced no propagation (ECTN3@15cms, ECTN11@30cms) Storm slab ~ 6 inches at pit. Discussed that is was not fully representative of the slope, given it was protected by trees and the slope was cross-loaded. Discussed likelihood of triggering isolated wind pockets. Decided to ski slope, leapfrogging safe zones.

Skier one skied left from entrance, noted more significant windloading and the slab becoming more supportive underfoot, propagation more of a concern. Cut back right and told skier 2 to avoid that slope, then looked back and the mentioned slope was sliding.

Red Flags
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Observer Comments

Significant windloading throughout the storm.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
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Weather

Snow and wind

Snow surface

Heavy storm snow, wind textured.

Snowpack

Pit at top of slope (2700 ft, East facing, Apx. 38 degree slope): ECTN3@15cms, ECTN11@30cms.
Pit at top of Showboat a couple hours later (2500 ft, WSW, Apx. 30 degrees): ECTP7@30cms (on zipper crust). Mega crust @ 70cms produced no results.

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Location