Incident

Avalanche: Park City Ridgeline

Tyler DustmanSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
35°

Avalanche

Slab Width
24 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
91 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
46 cm
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northwest
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2713 m

This avalanche occurred while skinning up the backside of No Name Peak. The slab released in a open snowfield on a pine forested slope. Skier was carried about 40 feet, strained through large pine trees and partially buried, facing downhill with mouth and face uncovered. Rescue was performed by ski partner. No beacon search was necessary due to the victim being visible to the rescuer and oral communication between victim and rescuer. If the skier was not caught in the nearest trees and carried further, or was buried facing uphill, consequences could have been much worse. Upon seeing the fracture, skier instinctively pointed skis downhill to ski off slab, to no avail because of skins on skis.

If forecasters are inclined to investigate this report, I would welcome feedback as to snow profile, slope angle and any other observations. Thanks.

Incident

Number Caught
1
Number Carried
1
Number Partly Buried
1