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Avalanche: Mineral Fork

Observer Name
Akin
Observation Date
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Region
Salt Lake » Mineral Fork
Elevation
9,200'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
33°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Weak Layer
Surface Hoar
Depth
15"
Width
125'
Vertical
150'
Comments

Unintentionally skier triggered soft slab, 15" deep, 120' across, ran about 150' and over a small cliff, North facing slope with a few trees, slope had apparently received shading from trees on ridge but was fairly open otherwise, 9200', Weak layer was surface hoar, slope angle was around 32 degrees. the slope angle averaged around 30 degrees on the east/northeast ridge where I was first skiing. I made a turn or two off the ridge on the north facing aspect where the slope increased to around 32-33 degrees at most, and that's where it released. i was turning hard right back to the ridge when I could see the snow cracking and releasing below and to the left of me

Coordinates