Accident Report
Ptarmigan Hill, southwest of Vail Pass - CO
1 backcountry tourer caught - not buried - 2024/12/22
Backcountry Area: Vail & Summit County
Status: Final Report
Published: 2024/12/23
Authors: Public Report - Updated by CAIC Staff
Contributors: Moto Mountain School Staff
Accident Summary
A snowboarder triggered and was caught in a small avalanche on Ptarmigan Hill. A motorized group in the area watched the snowboarder make about seven turns. Then, the snowboarder changed direction onto a steeper, northeast-facing slope before disappearing from view. The group watched a crack propagate above the snowboarder and saw the avalanche. They went to investigate. They found the rider uninjured.
Route Description
Ptarmigan Hill & Pass
Avalanche
Caught in an avalanche
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Date | # | Elev | Asp | Type | Trig | SizeR | SizeD | Problem Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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12/22/2024
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1 | >TL | NE | HS | AR/u | R2 | D1.5 | Persistent Slab | ||
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Date, Time & Site
Date and Time
12/22/2024 -
1:45pm
(known)
Slope Angle
37
Dimensions
Avg Depth
60 cm
Avg Width
25 m
Max Vertical Run
20 m
Weak Layer
Layer Type
Unknown
Bed Surface
Sliding Surface
O
Start Zone
Elevation
11800 ft
Comments
Incident
Yes
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Snowpack
Cracking:
None
Collapsing:
None
Our class observed near surface facets near the surface and buried surface hoar ~15cm down.
Weather
Mostly sunny w a high of 36, calm to light winds out the SW, No precipitation