Avalanche

Avalanche: Cherry Peak, East Face

David Rosenberg, Ryan ChoiLogan
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Avalanche

Slab Width
91 m
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
122 m
Slab Thickness
122 cm
Trigger Detail
Cornice Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
East
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2835 m

First of 3 break-to-the-ground deep slab avalanches we saw today on a circumnavigation of Cherry Peak. This one was on the east face of Cherry Peak, just below the saddle with the unnamed ridge at 9,400 ft. Crowns 3-5 feet deep. Deep slab broke completely to the ground - i.e., the bare, looks to be melted-out spot below the saddle was the starting zone. Debris pile a few hundred feet lower, debris 5 plus feet high. Date unknown, but suspect within the last week based on similar slide on Cougar.