Avalanche

Avalanche: Montreal Hill

Greg LottSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
40°

Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
Density Change
Trigger Type
Snowshoer
Vertical Fall
3 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
25 cm
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
2896 m

Wind was blowing at the time from the south over the small ridge piling up denser snow in the lee of slope on the south side of a small gully. It must have been depositing the snow for awhile because you could see where the wind deposited snow contact was with the old snow to the south. One snowshoer walked almost on top of this contact and fractures propagated immediately after which the snow slab slid into the gully breaking up as it slid. We had just been talking about how the wind was building up the snow on the edge of the gully. We did not feel in danger, but we thought it was interesting and worth sharing as a small example of the conditions today and the hazards that are still out there. Thanks for all you do.