Avalanche

Avalanche: Michigan City

ChesterSalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
12 m
Weak Layer
Density Change
Trigger Type
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
25 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Southwest
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Start Zone Elevation
2926 m

observed 4 small, pockety crowns in gullied area of Michigan city 3 facing south and 1 crown west. All small avalanches were same depth running 80 vertical feet or less

4" of new snow covered slide

3 out of 4 had no ski tracks visible

ski cuts on similar slopes and hang fire produced no results. No sig cracking on tour which suggest quick healing weak layer.

looking at crown, weak layer subtle. location suggested crust but I didn't see crust in weak layer. I think it was just new snow/ density change/ cross loading/wind drifted snow.