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Avalanche: Days Fork

Observer Name
Kikkert, Manos
Observation Date
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff/Days
Elevation
10,200'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Weak Layer
Graupel
Depth
Width
Unknown
Vertical
Unknown
Comments

We triggered several soft slabs in the AM in Upper Days and Holy Toledo. Early in the AM, there was a density inversion and the top 3-4 inches of snow was super sensitive, with instant gratification from ski cuts and cornice drops. The shallow slabs were only pulling out 10-20' wide, with no consequences. As the snow piled up (about 6 inches between 6 am and noon) and the wind continued, they started to propagate out quite a bit larger, with one unintentionally triggered slide, and were running down to the melt/freeze crust, averaging about 1 foot deep. Weak layer was graupel above the crust. At this point we decided it was time to exit. Coming out the Flagstaff ridge, we noticed another similar sized slide (approximately 1 foot deep) that I think was skier triggered, but could have naturaled, as well also watched a small natural run on south facing near Holy Toledo. The largest slide was in Upper Days, which is described with the photo below.

Good part is these should be settling out by now and Wed morning should be nice.

Comments

Photo is of the largest slide triggered, in Upper Days. Approximately 100' wide, averaging about 1' deep, and running approx. 400 vertical. Unintentionally triggered. I believe it was sympathetic to a smaller slide released just to the east upon entry to the line skied. It ran after the skier was 1/3 of the way down the run.

Coordinates