Avalanche

Avalanche: Doughnut Falls

ShannonSalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Trigger Type
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
25 cm
Start Zone Aspect
West
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Start Zone Elevation
2652 m

Avalanche failed on new/old snow interface and ran about 150' down the slope on a steep rollover near rocky terrain. Depth varied between 4-10". I was able to safely ski out without issue but noticed shooting cracks at my stopping point. The rest of the party skied down the bed surface without issue and we continued down, practicing safe spacing and exposing one person at a time through steep terrain. Lots of warning signs today with increased precipitation rates, wind drifted snow and natural small avalanches on convexities and slopes >35 degrees while skinning up. Wasn't surprised to kick some small ones off given the reactivity in the snow, but was a bit surprised at how far this one ran and how it propagated a bit through this more connected section in this slope.