Avalanche

Avalanche: Brian Head Backcountry

G.HarmsenSouthwest
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Observation photo 1

Avalanche

Slab Width
6 m
Trigger Type
Skier
Slab Thickness
91 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Start Zone Elevation
3018 m

Triggered a slide on a small steepish slope on a fairly treed N/NW aspect. About 3 turns in, a windslab about 1ft deep broke out on a convexity, causing a larger slide to step down into facets about 40 ft above me. Luckily was moving quickly and the overall slope height was short, so was able to ski out of it and to the side into tighter trees. Slope was short so slide only ran ~100ft.

Significant new snow in the area (~2ft) with high winds made windslabs sensitive and likely loaded underlying facet layers for first time in a while.