Avalanche

Avalanche: Cardiac Ridge

DindySalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
30 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
305 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
91 cm
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
East
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3200 m

This avalanche broke under my downhill ski while skinning at the ridge between the main skinner and next obvious entry into the ski run. Hard wind slab over faceted snow. I easily stepped off the moving slab and watched it run about 1000' past the little trees. The wind had fully scoured the ridge and only the steepest rockiest part avalanched. Very obvious and expected though I can't say it was intentional. The stauchwall occurred immediately at slope transition and there was no further propagation north or south into the nice powder.

I immediately called Alta Central and reported the slide.

I was happy to skin up there due to the absolutely massive avalanche from Friday or Saturday which deposited debris 10-30' deep at the flats and continued all the way to creek.

Skiing was excellent.

Observed two fresh natural slides (2'x20') that happened yesterday or Wednesday while exiting Mineral Fork NE facing lower down on rolls in the trees.

Forecaster Comments: Thank you for reporting this avalanche to Alta Central.

UAC forecast staff visited the site of the lower avalanche in Mineral Fork on January 22, 2024. Read more HERE.