Avalanche

Avalanche: Millie Back Bowls

Craig GordonSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
37°

Avalanche

Slab Width
30 m
Weak Layer
Density Change
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
61 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
36 cm
Trigger Detail
Intentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
3109 m

Before teaching Brighton Backcountry 101 this afternoon, I decided to do a bit of class prep and look around to see what's going on in the Brighton Basin. Fresh snow and sustained southwest winds steered me towards a cross-loaded slope to confirm suspicions. Standing on a lower angle portion of the slope (island of safety) I took off my skins, shifted my weight slightly, slid a ski tip into a fat portion of the drift in front of me and was able to trigger this fresh drift that was surprisingly tender and connected. Avy failed on a preserved layer of near surface facets.