Avalanche

Avalanche: South Monitor Bowl

mark whiteSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
34°

Avalanche

Slab Width
61 m
Weak Layer
Ground Interface
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
244 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
107 cm
Trigger Detail
Cornice Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2987 m

On my way to No Name took a look at South Monitor no activity noted, on the return trip out noted a fairly large avalanche had taken place in South Monitor, skiers right side of the peak N-NE facing, Looked to be a natural triggered by a cornice fall. Crown varied from 4 to 2 feet deep, 175-200ft wide running to the flats at the bottom. The slide pulled out to the ground interface, and the only thing left in the bed surface was about an inch or two of rotten faceted snow, and dirt and rocks. Massive wind loading for 2 straight days finally over loaded the slope, with some help from a cornice fall. Photos, a few of the crown, and the slide path. Good call on the hazard today, if slopes like this are ripping out mid afternoon naturally the hazard is definitely high.