Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 36°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 9 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Vertical Fall
- 30 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 36 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northwest
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3200 m
I was up in the Uintas today in the Weber Basin drainage where I triggered this slide at 10500 on a NW aspect. There was 25 cm's of new medium density snow. When I was skiing just below a roll over midf-slope I felt it was time to depart. Just after skiing off the main line to the skiers right to a less dangerous location I looked over my shoulder and noticed the crown and snow running. Upon investigation I was surprised to notice the snow did not slide on the new snow/old snow interface. Instead, a 5 cm layer just below the new snow capped on top with a light melt-freeze (which the new snow is sitting on top) was sitting on top of another melt-freeze crust layer (~1 cm thick) with near surface facets on top. This is the layer that failed. Looking at the first pic you see my first tracks lookers left. Notice just before I kicked out, I skied over a rock. Since this slide ran on a persistent weak layer, although I am doubtful, I was wondering if this is where I triggered the slide.
Forecaster Comment: Michael, thank you for posting this information and all your top notch observations.