Avalanche

Avalanche: Snaggletooth Chutes

GarciaMoab
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Quick report

Slope Angle
40°

Avalanche

Slab Width
61 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
76 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
152 cm
Start Zone Aspect
North
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
3170 m

Maximum crown depth was 5' where it was wind loaded on a very steep part of the slope. Towards the right flank the crown thinned out to about a foot, involving only recent storm snow. This slope appeared to be cross loaded. The avalanche most likely occurred during the strong NE wind event on the night of Friday 3/7 or the early morning of Saturday 3/8. Strong NE winds cross loaded the slope and a hard slab developed, and subsequently failed on a buried layer of faceted snow.