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Avalanche: Maybird Gulch 2/28/2010

Observer Name:

Mark Borges

Observation Date:

02/28/2010

Occurrence Date:

02/28/2010

Occurrence Time:

Unknown

Region:

Salt Lake
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Maybird Gulch

Avalanche Characteristics

Elevation:

8600'

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Slope Angle:

Trigger:

Skier

Trigger: additional info:

Intentionally Triggered

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Depth (avg):

16"

Depth Range:

10" to

20"

Width:

Unknown

Vertical:

400'

General Comments

White Pine, Maybird Apron
Obscured; ie., low hanging cloud

Maybird Apron, NNE, skiers left; starting zone 8600' (~250' down from the ridge), 37 degrees, 10 to 20" deep, ran 400', 2pm.
As I was decending, in the fog, I noticed the snow, to my left and down, moving. Not real fast; but, there was some large blocks coming to rest. I veered right into a small tree stand and then continued the run--to the right. At the bottom we veered back to the left and notice the tow of the slide at around 8200'.

No collapsing; but some minor cracking in the adjacent area.

Could not see the starting zone; but generally the snow was wind and sun effected punchy snow.

No new snow.

Did not stop to investigate. The slide was in an open area, up toward the ridgeline.

I guess we found a pocket.