Avalanche

Avalanche: Butler Basin

Grainger, RoccaSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
39°

Avalanche

Trigger Type
Skier
Avalanche Type
Wet Slab
Trigger Detail
Intentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Southeast
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Start Zone Elevation
2896 m

Quite warm temperatures and little air movement caused Southerly aspects' new snow to start moving by midday. Many areas of wet-loose activity under rock bands and on steep rollovers.

Despite this rapid warming the 4-6" of new snow generally posed little risk. However, skiing solar slopes over ~38 degrees produced enough energy to connect small sections into wet slabs. The hard M/F crust surface underneath allowed wet debris to run the length of steeper slopes and lethargically stack up into 2-5' piles, depending on terrain.

Though these pieces are easy to ski-cut, get off of or outrun, they could prove hazardous to an unsuspecting party who gets pushed through obstacles by high-density debris.