Observer Name
Mark Sevenoff, Eric Trenbeath
Observation Date
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Avalanche Date
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Lone Pine run in upper Gold Basin
Elevation
10,000'
Aspect
Northwest
Slope Angle
35°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
12"
Width
50'
Vertical
200'
Comments
The slide was 3" at my skis and propagated horizontally out to my left. Approx. 40' at the start w/ a maximum depth of 12". After a few turns I could feel (and see the slide). At the same time my partner yelled to cut out, which I did at a 45 and was out in a second to a safe zone. As the angle eased up the slide stopped before the flats. While unintentional, it was suspect and I found the sweet spot. Could not have buried, but a few rocks got exposed and enough power to wrench your knee..
Comments
Forecaster note: Slab that failed was a 3-8" deep stiff, wind slab that had formed earlier in the week, and that was buried by 4" of loose new snow. Ran on faceted weak layer. Perfectly fit forecasted criteria for the day. Though unintentionally triggered, potential for pocket to release had been recognized, and decision was made to stay off and to the skiers right side of suspect area. About three turns into the run, pocket fractured out to skiers left initiating at about 3" deep and propagating out up to a foot. Skier quickly skied out.
Coordinates