Avalanche

Avalanche: Whitney Basin

Ted ScrogginUintas
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Quick report

Slope Angle
38°

Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Snowmobiler
Vertical Fall
24 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
76 cm
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3048 m

Small sled triggered slide from a day or two ago. This slide again failed on the weak faceted snow in the middle of the snow pack and then stepped down into weak snow near the ground. Not a big slide and did not travel far as it ran out of slope angle, but enough to work a person over.

The right combination of strong snow over weak snow with a nice 4F plus slab resting on top of weak faceted snow about mid-pack. Once the rider found a thin weak spot on the slope and collapsed the weak layer was all it took.