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Avalanche: Santaquin Canyon

Observer Name
pierce
Observation Date
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Avalanche Date
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Region
Provo » Santaquin Canyon
Location Name or Route
Top of Santaquin canyon
Elevation
8,400'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
35°
Trigger
Snowmobiler
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
12"
Width
100'
Vertical
50'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Buried - Partly
1
Comments
Today at the trailhead I ran into 3 riders who had just come down behind me. They told me that they had seen several avalanches at higher elevation, (above 8500') and that they had started one while ridding up cutbanks. One of the riders was buried up to his waist and his sled was on its side. No injuries. I only went up to 8300' today and had poor visability. I don't have good detail because I didn't see the site, I can only guess at the slope angle and aspect, I do know the area though. New snow is 10"-12" snow total 44". The new snow is wet and the temps there today were in the 40's with sun until early afternoon. The snow structure is, and has been, poor all season. The buried facets haven't gone away.
Comments
Cut bank test is a great way to learn about the hazard. Small slope vs. large slope. I didn't get the riders names but they were good to send me this photo.
Coordinates