Avalanche

Avalanche: Whitney Basin

Ted ScrogginUintas
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Quick report

Slope Angle
36°

Avalanche

Slab Width
46 m
Weak Layer
Depth Hoar
Trigger Type
Snowmobiler
Vertical Fall
61 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
76 cm
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2987 m

Spotted this avalanche on Yamaha Hill driving to the forest today. Sled problems prevented me from getting photos and a closer look, so this is all from the highway using binoculars. Thinking a rider from the weekend triggered this avalanche low on the slope or from the side where the slab is thinner and weaker. Looking back a few days on the winds from nearby Windy Peak and with plenty of loose snow on the surface to blow around, this slope was fairly wind loaded and waiting for a trigger. This slope is very typical western Uintas with large open terrain on the windward side where winds can grab lots of snow and deposit onto the leeward side. The avalanche broke into weak snow near the ground, dirt and vegetation was easily seen on the bed surface.