Fresh wind slab avalanche seen this afternoon, possibly rider triggered. Photo: N. Meyers
We received a call (from a third party) about a snowmobiler that was buried with their head 5 feet below the snow and their foot sticking out of the snow. Their partners saw the foot and dug them out. The riders face was blue, but quickly became responsive after a "chest thump".
They were riding on the north side of Miller Mtn. Given the widespread winds and drifting, we suspect it was likely a hard wind slab avalanche similar to one spotted on Crown Butte the same day .
Fresh wind slab avalanche seen this afternoon, possibly rider triggered.
We received a call (from a third party) about a snowmobiler that was buried with their head 5 feet below the snow and their foot sticking out of the snow. Their partners saw the foot and dug them out. The riders face was blue, but quickly became responsive after a "chest thump".
They were riding on the north side of Miller Mtn. Given the widespread winds and drifting, we suspect it was likely a wind slab avalanche similar to one spotted on Crown Butte the same day.
Total snow depth on a NE aspect was 230 cm (7.5 ft). Right side up and strong. Dust layer from Feb 4th was 70 cm deep (28 inches) with no facets under it.
Several inches of dense new snow really made great skiing and riding on top of either an ice crust or firm layer of snow from recent sun and warm temps.
Winds had moved snow at upper elevations.
Total snow depth on a NE aspect was 230 cm (7.5 ft). Right side up and strong. Dust layer from Feb 4th was 70 cm deep (28 inches) with no facets under it.
The main avalanche problem seemed to be wind slabs.
