Avalanche: Alexander Basin 3/17/2011

Observer Name: 
Mike Packard
Observation Date: 
03/20/2011
Occurrence Date: 
03/17/2011
Occurrence Time: 
Unknown
Region: 
Alexander Basin
Mill Creek Canyon
Salt Lake
Location Name: 
Alexander Basin
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Location

40° 40' 37.6428" N, 111° 40' 54.084" W
Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
9600'
Aspect: 
East
Slope Angle: 
Unknown
Trigger: 
Unknown
Trigger: additional info: 
Cornice Triggered
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Weak Layer: 
Facets
Depth (avg): 
unknown
Width: 
Unknown
Vertical: 
Unknown
General Comments

I got a glimpse of this avalanche in upper Alexander Basin, midday on Friday, 3/18, don't know when it ran. We never got closer than a quarter mile. The picture's not great, but you can just make out the crown above the lowest trees. There was a small avalanche (wind slab or cornice?) above the cliff bands and then it broke out big below the cliff bands. My best guess is that the crown was 3-4 feet deep. This, and the other recent avalanches, tell me that the monsters are still lurking, not buried deep enough yet.

Forecaster comments -  Believe this terrain has been a repeat offender at least twice before - East Chute area off the north Gobbler's ridge into Alexander  -   Each by natural cornice fall from above.  Both new and old snow avalanches can be seen there from the east.

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