Observer Name
UAC Staff
Observation Date
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Avalanche Date
Sunday, January 12, 1997
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Flagstaff Ridge
Location Name or Route
Flagstaff
Elevation
9,600'
Aspect
West
Slope Angle
34°
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Depth
2.5'
Width
300'
Vertical
400'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Buried - Partly
1
Accident and Rescue Summary
On January 12th, Al Soucie was caught and completely buried in an avalanche just above the town of Alta. Al is a 15 year avalanche professional, an ex UAFC forecaster and presently the Little Cottonwood Canyon Snow Ranger. In other words, if Al can get caught, then anyone can get caught. Al and Steve Conger, the UDOT lead forecaster went up on Flagstaff Shoulder, just above the town of Alta to check out the avalanche conditions. On a very low elevation and low angled slope they triggered a stubborn wind slab in a place no one can remember an avalanche occurring before. Al was carried into a narrow gully below and buried with just a hand sticking out. Conger got to him quickly and dug him out without injuries.
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