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Accident: Gobblers Knob 2/7/2010

Observer Name:

Kobernik

Observation Date:

02/08/2010

Occurrence Date:

02/07/2010

Occurrence Time:

Unknown

Region:

Gobblers Knob
Porter Fork
Mill Creek Canyon
Salt Lake

Location

40° 40' 8.1156" N, 111° 41' 11.544" W

Avalanche Characteristics

Elevation:

9900'

Aspect:

Northwest

Slope Angle:

Trigger:

Skier

Trigger: additional info:

Unintentionally Triggered

Depth (avg):

Depth Range:

12" to

Width:

400'

Vertical:

1750'

People Involved

Caught:

Carried:

Injured:

Accident & Rescue Info

Accident & Rescue Summary:

A party of two skiers triggered an avalanche on the northwest face of Gobblers Knob. One of them was caught and was carried approximately 1500 feet vertical distance. He was able to grab a tree to avoid getting totally engulfed in the deposition. He was pinned and his partner located him and helped to free him. He was able to exit Porter Fork on his own with a shoulder injury. The victim is a very experienced backcountry skier and snowboarder who many in the community respect his opinion on avalanche conditions. When people of this caliber are getting caught, it should remind us of just how volatile our dangerous snowpack is this season.

Terrain Summary:

The avalanche was on the northwest face of Gobbler's Knob. The slope starts out at about 35 degrees and rolls over to around 38 or 40 at the steepest portion. Two other avalanches occurred in the area on the same day. This area has had numerous accidents and fatalities over the years.

Terrain Photos:

Weather & Avalanche History:

The Wasatch Range received early snow in October and some in November. This snow was subjected to a prolonged period of cold weather that metamorphosed the snow grains into weak sugary crystals. Below average snowfall for December and January followed which did not help to add the normal amount of weight which helps these grains sinter and become stronger. Avalanches started occurring around the 13th of December due to this layering combination. Avalanches continue to break into the old weak snow and most likely will continue unless a steady series of storms adds enough snow to force the grains to sinter or bond.

Snow Profile

Snow Profile Comments:

The snow profile consisted of around 6 to 10 inches of medium to large grain facets or depth hoar near the ground. This weaker snow ranged from fist hand hardness in the most shallow areas to 4 finger plus in the deeper areas. There was a slab on top of that that averaged 2 feet deep and ranged 1 to 4 feet deep. The slab was one finger hand hardness on top of the weaker snow. Shear tests at a few different locations were stubborn. Propagation tests all produced full propagation but were stubborn as well. The avalanche was initiated in a shallow area where the grains were very weak. It broke to the ground in many portions of the track.

General Comments

Speaking with the skier who was not caught, he related that a conversation with the victim the night before included talk of not being co

General Comments 2

This was a very serious ride. The victim is lucky to escape with only minor injuries.

General Comments 3

This is the deepest portion of the crown face.

General Comments 4

Looking down the track from about mid way.

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