Avalanche

Avalanche: Pioneer Bowl

Craig GordonSalt Lake
View on map

Quick report

Slope Angle
40°

Avalanche

Slab Width
61 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
107 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
61 cm
Trigger Detail
Cornice Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2926 m

Spinning laps near V-Tree and White Cliffs Bowl and noticed this natural pocket on my exit. I suspect this piece of snow was cornice triggered on 2/12. As you might've guessed... snowpack in steep, rocky terrain in this area is extremely fragile. Though the January drought layer is the culprit, I think many slopes with these characteristics avalanched significantly during the New Year's cycle, leaving a shallow, weak pack in its wake.

Of note... this area was also the scene of a very tragic avalanche accident.