Avalanche

Avalanche: Back Bowls

Craig GordonSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
38°

Avalanche

Slab Width
21 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
21 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
36 cm
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Start Zone Elevation
2987 m

Watched at a distance as an experienced group of local backcountry skiers unintentionally trigger a fast moving soft slab on Milly Back Bowl traverse. After the dust settled, all was good and everyone came out unscathed.

Slide consisted of stiff 4 finger storm snow failing on weak NSF. This is a repeater (see avy ob from 1-28-13) and the slope hasn't developed a thick, strong pack this season.