Avalanche

Avalanche: Smith-Moorehouse

Manship & S. DeutschlanderUintas
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Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
122 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
46 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3048 m

Noted this avalanche breaking in a thin, rocky, convexity. Hard to tell exactly the failure plane was, but I bet it was a PWL/crossload collaboration.

There was evidence of similar avalanches in the area that had likely released during the last loading event.

We dug a bit out if the windzone (alpine/treeline border) and found a very strong snowpack, it seems as soon as you find thin, exposed, rocky area the PWL is at play.