Avalanche

Avalanche: Alta Periphery

Matt AsaySalt Lake
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Avalanche

Slab Width
61 m
Trigger Type
Skier
Avalanche Type
Wet Loose
Slab Thickness
46 cm
Start Zone Aspect
West
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Start Zone Elevation
3048 m

Snow was slushy and surfy exiting Microwave and I decided to cut across an area that was littered with roller balls, to see how much would slide. Answer: a lot.

It was easy to stay out of the way of the rolling cement because I was cutting straight across. However, if someone were pointed downhill they'd likely get caught, as the "rolling cement" picked up speed as it went...and went...and went. Rolled 600-700 feet, entraining snow as it lumbered down the hill.

Very manageable on the Microwave. Much less so on a steeper, west-facing aspect late in the day.