Incident

Avalanche: Wolverine Peak

UAC ObserverSalt Lake
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Quick report

Slope Angle
42°

Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
91 m
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Slab Thickness
25 cm
Trigger Detail
Unintentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Start Zone Elevation
3170 m

I decided to ski The Huge Chute for the first time this year. It had been skied as had several other chutes in the cirque. The wind was blowing harder than I expected and had deposited some of the new snow in the chute. I cut the slope three times with no result and then began skiing. At about 10,300 ft. I apparently hit a sweet spot and the slab broke up maybe 10 ft. above me. My guess on the fracture was 8-12". It knocked me off my feet and carried me maybe 100 vertical feet. I was able to self arrest on the hard bed surface and watch the avalanche continue all the way to where the slope flattens out. I was surprised in that this was not a soft slab. It did not seem like a lot of snow but it had me going for awhile before I was able to self arrest. I submit this report because I believe there is a good chance the other chutes are loaded in a similar matter.

Incident

Number Caught
1