Observer Name
UAC Staff
Observation Date
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Avalanche Date
Monday, January 12, 1998
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Solitude
Location Name or Route
Milk Run
Elevation
9,600'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Explosive
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Depth Hoar
Depth
3'
Width
45'
Vertical
300'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Buried - Fully
1
Injured
1
Comments
Very close call at Solitude The next day a Big Cottonwood ski patroller was caught in an avalanche during control work. A section of unbroken snow between two previous shot placements released as he did a ski cut. He went for a long ride through trees and cliff bands, and ended up completely buried when the debris came to a stop. His partner was able to find him within minutes. He was not breathing and they did CPR on him as they transported him to a waiting helicopter at the base. Miraculously, he began breathing on his own after they reached the helicopter and he recovered with no ill effects.
Coordinates
