New snow avalanches, Frazier Basin

Frazier Basin
Bridger Range
Code
L-N-R2-D1.5-I
Elevation
9200
Aspect
SE
Latitude
45.92330
Longitude
-110.98000
Notes

As we returned to Frazier Basin from below, we saw five natural avalanches on the southeast-facing wall of the basin. These had occurred while we were skiing the terrain below. They entrained only the 1 to 2 inches of snow that had fallen during the day. However, they were notable in that they ran 500 to 700 vertical feet. They were likely initiated by warming from the proximal cliff faces. They indicate that the new snow may not bond well to the old snow surface. A crust formed by the recent warm temperatures and sunny skies is the subsurface that snow is falling on. This will become a more significant concern as more snow falls this week.
 

 

Number of slides
5
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
1.5
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
New Snow
Slab Thickness
2.0 inches
Vertical Fall
600ft
Slab Width
50.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year