Incident

Avalanche: Pioneer Ridge

Anonymous/Brighton Ski PatrolSalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
21 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Snowboarder
Vertical Fall
61 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
91 cm
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
North
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3109 m

I was on my way up the crest lift and I noticed three snowboarder standing on the ridgeline. I watched one drop and it looked like he made it all the way down I watch the second person drop at after abot 50 feet down the ridge line he triggered an avalanche, he immediately cut to the rightand then straight lined down. I lost sight of him after that but I got to the top and contacted ski patrol to let them know what I had seen.

1st photo is from the toe looking up.

2nd is from lower R flank looking up.

3rd is a close up of the crown, probably 3-4 feet deep, and about 75 feet across.

Forecaster Comments: Thanks to the reporting party for contacting the Brighton Ski Patrol.

Link to Backcountry Emergency Procedures HERE.

If you trigger or see an avalanche adjacent to the road or one of the ski areas and are sure no one was caught in the avalanche, call the nearest mountain dispatch and alert them to the situation, this will allow SAR teams to stand down, preventing them from being subjected to unnecessary hazard.

Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033)

Canyons Resort/PCMR Dispatch (435 -615-1911)

Brighton Resort Dispatch- (801-891-2339)

Incident

Number Caught
1
Number Carried
1