Avalanche

Avalanche: Coalpit

Sean and DerekSalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
122 m
Trigger Type
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
91 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
3109 m

Saw Coalpit Headwall from a far distance (Pic 1). Crown visible on Northwest Aspect; very rough estimate of 3ft deep X 400ft wide but possibly bigger. I talked to Derek who said he had observed the same avy crown on 03/08/25 (Pic 2). Its hard to say what the actual cause was, since I havent been in that zone.

It seems pillowy on the ridge above the crown, so maybe windloading? Were facets involved, and are they still there? It appears a sluff from above triggered the apron. As we dip back into winter with high storm totals in our future, any unseen crowns will be covered up.

This year seems really strange. I posted this on social media and Derek reached out with a secondary pic from 03/08/25. This was great as it helped narrow in on the actual date of the avy. Im guessing this happend after the the last loading event.