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Avalanche: Alta Periphery

Observer Name
Hardesty
Observation Date
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Periphery
Location Name or Route
Rocky Point to Honeycomb along the upper reaches of BCC/LCC
Elevation
10,400'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Weak Layer
Density Change
Depth
10"
Width
200'
Vertical
600'
Comments

Very touchy new wind slabs along the ridgelines. Most 6-10" deep with one propagating 200' wide. All soft and manageable. Needed to be in wind affected terrain with an easterly component. A few shallow naturals observed that likely occurred mid-morning. Fits the trend of the cycle - naturals, then touchy to human provocation, then stubborn, then gone. This, of course - without a persistent weak layer (PWL).

Photo below illustrates the natural activity in the Wolverine Cirque

Comments

Thought maybe a natural had occurred off the ridgeline here - could that be a fracture line? Look a little closer -

Comments

Cornices remain very large. In the 'deep slab' category - unmanageable. Sometimes it's hard to tell how close you are to the ridgeline - if you don't know - don't go. Avoid going over with the cornice - after it breaks out behind you. Walk in the mountains long enough and its inevitable - just like they say about Grand Canyon river guides - two types of boaters - those that have flipped, those that are gonna. Give them a wide berth.

Coordinates