Avalanche

Avalanche: Upper Days

Dan StuckiSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
33°

Avalanche

Slab Width
30 m
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
91 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
5 cm
Trigger Detail
Cornice Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3109 m

Didn't get a chance to step off the ridge and observe the crown. The cornice was fridge sized (200-300 lbs.estimated). It appeared from the ridge, the sweet spot was on rocks with sugary facets. I know this slid during the Christmas cycle &,believe this might be the third time it has slid this season. Also note that slightly smaller cornices were dropped of the same ridge onto (Two Dogs) with nothing except minor sluffing. Tuff to say exactly what the weak laye ris for that slab. A pocket closer to the ridge pulled out looked like early season sugar, however the main slab lower on the more 30-33° (est.) slope may have failed on the the weak layer facets or from the old interface from a week or two ago. Wish I could have looked closer. Hope this intell can be a piece of the puzzle, that is a bit tricky right now.Thanks for all your hard work-Dan.