Avalanche

Avalanche: Rocky Point

MaloneSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
36°

Avalanche

Slab Width
18 m
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
61 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
61 cm
Trigger Detail
Intentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
3170 m

We were touring in the Rocky Point area and had skied one run on a lower angle sub-ridge. Noted some natural point releases in the steeper terrain (sluffs only). Snow was slightly upside down, with a soft wind skin on surface, overlying low density settled powder. Winds were increasing and backing to the SW, gusting to strong, with active wind loading onto the North and Northeast slopes. Observed some cracking in wind loaded areas. We wanted to see how reactive the wind slab was to a ski cut. The slab felt a bit stubborn initially, but once it released it propagated 2' deep x 60' wide and ran about 200'. Debris was soft. Photo makes this avalanche look larger than it was as the crown is in background and remaining cornice in foreground. SS-AS-D1.5-R2-I. Snowfall was increasing as we finished our walk, and winds remained strong. I expect hazard to be high at mid and upper elevations by tomorrow due to wind slab and storm snow.