Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 137 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Trigger Type
- Skier
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 76 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northwest
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 1829 m
Party of two skiers had recent acy forecast and observed fractures that had occurred some time previously along the windslab-loaded ridgeline they were climbing near. Skier 1 made a precautionary ski cut at the top of the descent across the narrowest part of the wind slab and to access safer snow in the other side of the crux. Wind slab broke 20‘ below the skier and the entire ridge collapsed and slid to within 150‘ of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail below. After discussion and assessment, skier 1 continued the line parallel to the slide runout to the bottom while skier 2 descended by foot down the shallow, south facing slope north of the slide.
Forecaster Note: I added these photos the day after to better illustrate the proximity to houses below. The Bonneville Shoreline trail is a very popular walking trail that also sits directly below these low elevation slide paths. With a bit more snow depth or different conditions, avalanches could easily run closer to the trail as well as the houses. This area is just south of Green Canyon and is easily accessible by sledders, snowshoers, skiers, etc. - Paige Pagnucco