Avalanche: Brighton Perimeter 3/29/2011

Observer Name: 
brandondodge
Observation Date: 
03/29/2011
Occurrence Date: 
03/29/2011
Occurrence Time: 
3:00pm
Region: 
Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Brighton Perimeter
Location Name: 
Millicent West face
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Location

40° 35' 34.2204" N, 111° 35' 59.3088" W
Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
10300'
Aspect: 
West
Northwest
Slope Angle: 
40
Trigger: 
Skier
Trigger: additional info: 
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Weak Layer: 
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth (avg): 
16"
Width: 
60'
Vertical: 
600'
General Comments

Reported to Brighton SKi Patrol at the Milly lift around 1530 hrs. I hiked up after work to take a look. This is a mid slope convexity that usually loads from above and is usually ski cut from above. This slab however seems to be more mid slope crossloading. Not a real big pocket although it did entrain a bit of snow and fanned out well at the bottom, making it look large at a glance. This path is above a popular backcountry access point, debris buried several sets of tracks, including my own, and a well beaten traverse. This should serve as a reminder to side country users. When staring from above check runout zones as best possible, maybe give a shout. When traveling below steep avalanche terrain, use haste and minimize time in harms way.  And always remember Don't let your guard down because you are close to the resort or because you have been there a million times before. Didn't seem too unmanageable for the skier, but it would have packed a little punch if you were on the traverse or building a kicker

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General Comments 2

Thanks for the report to patrol. Reporting these type of incidents near resorts saves time, resources and ultimatley increases rescuer safety.

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