Avalanche

Avalanche: Wilson Glade

Kap & NagleSalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
46 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2835 m

Experienced cracking and collapsing on ridge up

to Wilson Peak. Performed belayed ski cut on the northern most chute of Wilson to see if we could get anything to move. Slope produced shooting cracks but did not move. Skied two laps into Wilson Glades without incident. For third lap, headed further N down ridge before dropping into the open slope above the pines. Slight change in aspect, slope angle and transition from concave slope to convex slope was enough to produce a slab avalanche. First skier down the slope triggered it and was able to ski off to the skiers right. Crown of slide was roughly 18" failing on facets. 50' wide. Running 200-300' down into the pines. Slope angle 33.

Additional comments as provided by the party with their permission -