Avalanche

Avalanche: Dutch Draw

Japhy DhunganaSalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
6 m
Trigger Type
Skier
Slab Thickness
41 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Start Zone Elevation
2987 m

SS - ASu - R1 - D1 - I - 16” - 20ft x 50ft

12:20pm: At the entrance to Movie Line, Skier 2 of a group of 6 entered the line and angled left across a short pocket of loaded snow that released underfoot. Skier 2 exited the slide down towards the left. The slide ran a total of 50 feet before coming to a rest. The slope angle at the start zone was approximately 37 degrees.

The slide ran on a layer of wind-loaded snow from the recent storm. A 4 Finger soft slab on top of of fist-hard snow just beneath. Noticeable wind transport throughout the day, and higher than forecasted wind speeds at the Park City Ridgeline. The snow quality was medium density snow that felt punchy and grabby.

Other pertinent observations from the day were cracking and collapsing underfoot on the lee-loaded aspects, along with stiff wind-scoured ridgetops.