Avalanche

Avalanche: Tower Mountain

Rob BogdenUintas
View on map

Quick report

Slope Angle
39°

Avalanche

Slab Width
61 m
Weak Layer
Ground Interface
Trigger Type
Snowmobiler
Vertical Fall
30 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
East
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3078 m

Stupid!! I went up somewhat mid hill sidehilling fast, went across once, my friend went across on the way back. I went a little higher than him, saw three tracks along the bottom of this mountain. I looked up when exiting and the mountain was crumbling, I was going to pull my Avalanche airbag, but opted to hit the gas and try to escape it. I kept going looking back and turned down hill because the slide was growing in front of me and I figured I had enough runout room which I did. Could not believe what I saw once I turned around. I don't think it would have been survivable.

FORECASTER COMMENT-

Huge thanks Rob for reporting this. Information like this helps us issue more accurate advisories, ultimately saving lives!

And good on ya for keeping cool under, what must've been a pretty stressful moment.