Avalanche

Avalanche: Cardiff Fork

HardestySalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
12 m
Weak Layer
Graupel
Trigger Type
Natural
Vertical Fall
76 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
41 cm
Trigger Detail
Sympathetic Release
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2591 m

Noted this natural from Kessler Peak. Looks to have been triggered by either rockfall or surface sluff from above. Estimated date of Saturday release. Saturday had warmer conditions...and one could easily see drifting from Sunday's cold front on the bed surface. Weakness noted to be recrystallized graupel. Hand hardness of the slab was pencil/knife.

It should be noted that mid elevation westerly to northwesterly slopes were exceedingly weak with plenty of sandboxing noted in the weak faceted snow. Very unlikely that this would be triggered by a person....