Accident: Little South Fork 3/9/2011

Observer Name:

Gordon/Gorsage

Observation Date:

03/10/2011

Occurrence Date:

03/09/2011

Occurrence Time:

2:00pm

Region:

Little South Fork
Uintas

Location Name:

Little South Fork Slide Path

Location

40° 28' 28.3656" N, 111° 9' 49.1724" W

Avalanche Characteristics

Elevation:

9200'

Aspect:

West

Northwest

Slope Angle:

Trigger:

Snowmobiler

Trigger: additional info:

Unintentionally Triggered

Avalanche Type:

Hard Slab

Weak Layer:

Surface Hoar

Depth (avg):

2.5'

Depth Range:

18" to

3.5'

Width:

200'

Vertical:

250'

People Involved

Caught:

Carried:

Partly Buried:

Injured:

Accident & Rescue Info

Accident & Rescue Summary:

The rider sustained lower leg injuries, was shuttled out by his group, and is expected to make a complete recovery! The sled, however, needed a tow out and some repairs.

Terrain Summary:

This isn't a big, steep, gnarly slope. However, it does have a steep, mid-slope breakover right where the trees are laying over, that we measured at 38 degrees in slope angle. This is where Tim triggered the slab.

Terrain Photos:

Weather & Avalanche History:

This is the third unintentionally triggered slide this week. All the avalanches we looked at are breaking wide, below the January raincrust and failing on buried surface hoar. This photo illustrates the trophy sized, perfectly intact, persistent buried weakness we're dealing with.

Weather Photos:

Snow Profile

General Comments

Jacob and Aaron dig Tim's sled from a massive pile of bone crushing debris.

Video 1:

General Comments 2

The damage to the sled is impressive. Missing seat, bend tunnel, and torn off hood...a true testament to the power of an avalanche.

General Comments 3

Fortunately, this group was on their "A game". They only had one person on the slope, they were in a safe location watching their partner, and they perform a textbook rescue. Everyone in the group has attended our Avy Essentials class and Jacob commented how this training kicked in and became second nature.

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