Avalanche

Avalanche: Thomas Fork

Jackson and WillSalt Lake
View on map

Quick report

Slope Angle
35°

Avalanche

Slab Width
15 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
46 cm
Trigger Detail
Remotely Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
North
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
2774 m

We felt a particularly dramatic whumph while crossing a low angle west facing meadow, near a buried boulder where the snowpack was shallower. It sounded like a row of large dominoes was falling down rapidly away from us. Noticeably hollow feel to the surface. We found cracks upwards of 60 feet away from us as we ambled up the low angle terrain. We almost walked right past the avalanche as we neared the edge but spotted some larger cracks and went to investigate. This was triggered about 100 feet from our initial collapse. A fairly small pocket but worth mentioning that terrain similar in steepness, aspect and load cracked deeply but did not slide right next door. Connected to the slab that failed.

Previously wind loaded but not within past 24 that seemed apparent. Avg hs 130 around the crown. Didn't take facets with it. Triggered from the ramp into steep north terrain adjacent.