Avalanche

Avalanche: Dry Fork of AF

UAC ObserverSalt Lake
View on map

Quick report

Slope Angle
38°

Avalanche

Slab Width
24 m
Trigger Type
Skier
Vertical Fall
76 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
25 cm
Trigger Detail
Intentionally Triggered
Start Zone Aspect
Southeast
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
3200 m

There was a strong wind (~30 mph) from the Northwest transporting snow over the ridge and depositing it on the popular slope just off of Point Supreme in Dry Fork of AF Canyon. My first cornice kick gave me a small reaction on a South facing slope, 8" deep, 30 feet wide, and nearly 100 feet long of a medium density wind slab). Not high energy, but the cornice section that fell and triggered it was only about microwave sized.

The next one I got to and kicked broke about 10" deep, 80 feet wide, and ran out 200 feet. As that one went, it another slide that was a bit deeper and wider broke about 200 feet away towards Sunset peak. I don't know if it was sympathetic or natural and the timing was coincidental.

I called Alta Dispatch and reported them, and carried on along the ridge.