Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 137 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Snowmobiler
- Vertical Fall
- 107 m
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 61 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- East
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2713 m
Pretty sure this slide was triggered by another group of Sledders. We could see where someone had climbed up and out which most likely is what caused the slide. Most likely failed close to the top next to rock outcroppings on a windslab. We checked with our beacons to be sure and didn't get a signal and fell asleep. I need to lay down.____________->
Forecster Comments: I visited the site on February 28. Kade and his party did exactly the right thing; searching the debris that was overruning numerous snowmobile tracks, since they did not know if anyone was buried. If you do trigger an avalanche in the backcountry, you should report it... The avalanche was likely triggered by a rider ascending the slope near the top. There are rock outcroppings, and the very steep east-facing slope measures 45 degrees. Avalanche conditions remain elevated in the backcountry. A widespread buried persistent weak layer (PWL) exists on mid and upper elevation slopes facing west through north through east. Last week’s storm winds built cohesive slabs over weak, faceted snow. These hard slabs are becoming stubborn, but they still require only the right trigger point. A rider or a snowmobile traveling uphill or downhill—especially across a thin or shallow spot in the slab—could cause it to fail. Hard wind slab avalanches can be tricky; sometimes, allowing a person to get well out on them before suddenly releasing, and they can propagate widely and may be triggered remotely, or worse, from below. ...With complex and heightened avalanche conditions across the Bear River Mountains, your safest choice is still to stay off and away from steep hills. If you choose to travel in avalanche terrain, follow safe travel protocols by exposing only one person at a time. Weed
The triggering party sent some pictures and videos from the avalanche site, which is a huge help. The information, photos, and video submitted will help save lives.