Avalanche

Avalanche: Brighton Perimeter

BSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
38°

Avalanche

Slab Width
27 m
Weak Layer
Depth Hoar
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
76 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
58 cm
Trigger Detail
Intentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3078 m

Triggered this slide while approaching this convex rollover. Weak layer was 2 mm facets. Size was D2. Flanks of 35 degrees had multiple stress cracks but did not slide.

Of interest was the fact that this area where slide was triggered did not have any signs of wind loading. All other avalanche activity observed today appeared to have some kind of Wind Loading as a contributing factor. Also of interest was this snowpack did not have the same characteristics of numerous snowpits taken from similar elevations in the Upper Cottonwoods. This slide had DH all the way to the ground, and when it released there was only 20 to 25 cm of loose unconsolidated facets left in the starting zone.