Avalanche

Avalanche: Upper Horse Creek

TrenbeathMoab
View on map

Quick report

Slope Angle
38°

Avalanche

Slab Width
107 m
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
152 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
30 cm
Trigger Detail
Intentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
North
Avalanche Problem
Cornice
Start Zone Elevation
3536 m

6" of new, medium density snow with SE ridge top winds 15-20 mph with gusts into the high 20's. Just enough wind to move snow around and form sensitive cornices and soft wind slabs along upper elevation ridge crests facing N-NE. Intentionally dropped a few cornices that gouged into the loose snow, initiating some fairly long running sluffs. Found a section that looked more slabby and connected. Stomped on cornice and it released, pulling out a soft slab 350' wide. Isolated to the ridge crest, the slab tapered from 12" deep to 3" over a vertical span of about 20' though once moving, it entrained loose surface snow and ran for about 500' vertical feet.