Avalanche: Weber Canyon 4/10/2010

Observer Name: 
Gordon
Observation Date: 
04/13/2010
Occurrence Date: 
04/10/2010
Occurrence Time: 
Afternoon
Region: 
Uintas
Weber Canyon
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Location

40° 50' 32.9388" N, 111° 4' 11.4456" W
Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
10400'
Aspect: 
East
Slope Angle: 
39
Trigger: 
Snowmobiler
Trigger: additional info: 
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Weak Layer: 
Depth Hoar
Depth (avg): 
2.5'
6'
Width: 
250'
Vertical: 
500'
People Involved
Caught: 
2
Carried: 
2
Partly Buried: 
1
Fully Buried: 
1
Snow Profile
0410101517.jpg
General Comments

Four riders, two adults and two teenagers, played in the Super Bowl before before reaching Windy Peak and descending  towards Giant Steps. They climbed the heavily windloaded slope several times before one rider got stuck. Several attempts were made to punch a trail to the stuck sled. On the last attempt to get to the ridge, the rescuing snowmobiler triggered this large slab, on a very steep ENE facing slope, which broke into weak snow near the ground. The rescuer was able to outrun the slide, but in the process, buried two in his group- one to their waist and one completely.

0410101517.jpg
General Comments 2

This young rider was buried underneath his sled with only his head sticking out of the snow. Another person on the slope was partially buried to their waist.

0410101441a.jpg
General Comments 3

Members of the group dig out the buried sled

0410101458.jpg
General Comments 4

With no rescue gear other than two shovels (one of which was on the buried sled) this was a very close call and could have easily had an extremely sad outcome. While quite shook up with many lessons learned, fortunately everyone came out unscathed.

0410101458a.jpg
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