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Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 29, 2022
Submitted:
December 30, 2022
Zone or Region:
Mammoth Lakes
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
P4 (Mammoth Mountain)

Observations

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Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
Chair 23 opened in the late afternoon. Significant wind-loading on P4 (East/Northeast aspect). Triggered a D1 slab right around the saddle where you can enter Phillipe's. Took me with it and ran just below the P3 rock choke. Shooting cracks observed a couple turns before trigger. Upper part of the chute had been cut by ski patrol. Unfortunately did not get a photo of the crown because visibility was poor.

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No
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