Incident

Avalanche: Dougs Drop

ESalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
Density Change
Trigger Type
Skier
Avalanche Type
Dry Loose
Slab Thickness
23 cm
Start Zone Aspect
East
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Start Zone Elevation
2987 m

Got caught and carried today by a fast moving, far running sluff in steep terrain just south of Doug's Drop in Silver Fork.

Did a ski cut near the top of the slope with no results. Then proceeded onto the slope and after about 15 turns got hit by a fast moving sluff / soft slab from above. It carried me at surprisingly high speed right towards a group of trees but I was fortunately able to arrest into the bed surface and get off to the side.

There was a stout sun crust under the new snow that probably allowed the sluff to pick up speed quickly.

No injuries, fortunately.

Debris pile shown against mid-slope trees.

Another photo by Colgan/Horn

Incident

Number Caught
1
Number Carried
1