Avalanche: Willows 12/21/2010

Observer Name: 
kelly robbins
Observation Date: 
12/21/2010
Occurrence Date: 
12/21/2010
Occurrence Time: 
Unknown
Region: 
Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Willows
Location Name: 
Ridge dividing E. Willow and USA Bowl
Printer-friendly version

Location

40° 37' 53.0832" N, 111° 34' 52.2552" W
Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
9500'
Aspect: 
North
Northwest
and steeper
Slope Angle: 
35
Trigger: 
Natural
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Depth (avg): 
10"
Width: 
30'
Vertical: 
50'
General Comments

I don't think this has been reported yet, and I'm pretty sure it released mid-day, just after the snow lifted and skies cleared.  As I was skinning the ridge between E. Willow/USA Bowl, I didn't see any activity in this pocket, which released last year in this exact spot.  A couple hours later while-20 heading up towards Will's Hill, I looked back and saw that a small slab released from a steep open section, that rolls over into thick trees.  I couldn't quite make it out, but from the picture it also looks like a second slab released down and skier's R of the first slab.

Also, lots of other shallow (10-20cm) soft slabs released naturally today, some triggered by snow dropping from over-hanging trees.

And, lots of intentionally triggered soft slab activity in steeper terrain.

IMG_3850.JPG
IMG_3844.JPG
Javascript is required to view this map.

Site Built by Dharmatech
Site Refresh by Flint Creative