Avalanche: Wolverine Peak 12/25/2010

Observation Date: 
12/25/2010
Occurrence Date: 
12/25/2010
Occurrence Time: 
10:30am
Region: 
Wolverine Peak
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Salt Lake
Location Name: 
The Huge Chute, Wolverine Cirque
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Location

40° 35' 15.2124" N, 111° 36' 28.818" W
Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
10400'
and below
Aspect: 
Northeast
Slope Angle: 
42
Trigger: 
Skier
Trigger: additional info: 
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Weak Layer: 
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth (avg): 
10"
Width: 
50'
Vertical: 
300'
People Involved
Caught: 
1
General Comments

I decided to ski The Huge Chute for the first time this year. It had been skied as had several other chutes in the cirque. The wind was blowing harder than I expected and had deposited some of the new snow in the chute. I cut the slope three times with no result and then began skiing. At about 10,300 ft. I apparently hit a sweet spot and the slab broke up maybe 10 ft. above me. My guess on the fracture was 8-12". It knocked me off my feet and carried me maybe 100 vertical feet. I was able to self arrest on the hard bed surface and watch the avalanche continue all the way to where the slope flattens out. I was surprised in that this was not a soft slab. It did not seem like a lot of snow but it had me going for awhile before I was able to self arrest. I submit this report because I believe there is a good chance the other chutes are loaded in a similar matter.

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