[MCR] Rogers Pass - November 8th Bruins Ridge Avalanche

Hi all,

Here is some information on the Bruins
Ridge Avalanche that happened Sunday November 8th:
It occured at approximately 2:30pm.
 One rider had already skied the slope and was close to the bottom
of the slope when the second skier triggered the avalanche.  The first
rider was fully buried but able to get out alone.  The second skier
was not buried. Luckily neither person was injured.
The avalanche ran about 1200m.  Earlier
estimates showed the fracture line to be about 300m wide but the latest
GPS measurements show it to be  400m wide.  It propagated across
Bruins ridge for about 400m.  The crown was 50cm to 100cm deep averaging
65cm.  The avalanche released on a facet layer above a crust about
10-15cm above the ground.  The avalanche covered 0.16km square.  It
was triggered at a shallow spot close to a rock sticking out of the snow.

With this in mind, watch for areas that
will have kept snow from earlier on this fall that may have the same weak
layer down at the bottom of the snowpack.

Many thanks to Jess and Troy Leahey
and Shannon Werner for their quick and professional action assisting with
the rescue.






Lydia Marmont
Chris Gooliaff
Danyelle Magnan

Glacier National Park Visitor Safety

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