Observer Name
DM
Observation Date
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Avalanche Date
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork » Cardiac Bowl
Location Name or Route
Superior
Elevation
10,500'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
35°
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Depth
6"
Width
40'
Vertical
400'
Comments
Our party noticed this shallow wind slab that looked to have been triggered by someone either skinning up to the East Ridge of Superior from Cardiac Bowl, or avoiding a steep obstacle on the ridge. Our guess from the condition of their skin track was that it had happened sometime on Saturday. Could have been intentionally triggered by a very savvy traveler, or could have scared the pants off of an equally savvy traveler.
We didn't hang out to check out the crown or bed surface as we were working against the sun and the heat on our climb.
Although it was a small one, it definitely wouldn't have been a fun ride if it had taken you off your feet, and could well have happened in much higher consequence terrain. The debris also covered the commonly used skin track down in the small valley between Little Superior and the main peak. Remember to be on the lookout for these touchy slabs around ridges in the upper elevations.
Coordinates