Avalanche: Steep Hollow Trees 1/17/2011

Observer Name:

Toby Weed

Observation Date:

01/18/2011

Occurrence Date:

01/17/2011

Occurrence Time:

Overnight

Region:

Steep Hollow Trees
Steep Hollow
Logan River
Logan

Location Name:

Steep Hollow

Location

41° 57' 58.2444" N, 111° 38' 14.3376" W

Avalanche Characteristics

Elevation:

8600'

and above

Aspect:

North

Northwest

and steeper

Slope Angle:

Trigger:

Natural

Avalanche Type:

Hard Slab

Weak Layer:

Facets

Depth (avg):

20"

Depth Range:

12" to

Width:

Unknown

Width Range:

300' to

500'

Vertical:

400'

Snow Profile

General Comments

Many slopes in the Steep Hollow Area naturally avalanched during the ice storm overnight of 1-16/1-17.... I took a good look at the avalanches on the steep treed slopes on the south side of the box canyon... A complex of large hard slab avalanches stretched across the face with large and very deep piles of debris stacked up on trees and along the flat bench below the slope. The 1 to 3 foot deep hard slabs released on a couple weak layers formed when near the snow surface. I found large rimed crystals and sugary facets in the lower shear plane....