Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 9 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Vertical Fall
- 76 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 25 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Remotely Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- North
- Avalanche Problem
- Persistent Weak Layer
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3048 m
I went up with a few Alta Ski Patrollers to look at some recent avalanches to determine whether they were natural and what the weak layer was. A quick hand pit revealed very loose faceted snow under the new snow. As we were approaching the avalanches we experienced a distinct collapse. During further approach, we unintentionally remotely triggered a small avalanche.
The older faceted snow is no doubt reactive to the new load.
The pile of debris wasn't all that large but would have definitely knocked a person down and perhaps carried them a short distance.