Avalanche

Avalanche: Davis Gulch

Greg GavinSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
40°

Avalanche

Slab Width
46 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
305 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
137 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
2957 m

Witnessed an older crown on the skiers left of Davis Gulch. The crown was recently blown in by Friday's storm snow, and was remarked as having been seen on Thursday of this past week. The Wed/Thurs 1/24>1/25 wind event likely the culprit. I find this observation especially interesting as most of the avalanche action has been on Northeast to East facing terrain, but this slide was on a West to Northwest slide with severe consequence.

This slide to me indicates that our problems are not only on the reported NE and E facing slides but also on these newly formed westerly and northwesterly wind loaded slopes. In my mind the danger rose is now back up to considerable up in the alpine on all slopes NE, N, and NW.