Observer Name
Frank Waikart
Observation Date
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry » Hells Canyon
Location Name or Route
Hells Canyon
Elevation
8,500'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Snowboarder
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
18"
Width
40'
Vertical
2,000'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Comments
This was one of two human triggered avalanches in Hells Canyon today right outside the Snowbasin Ski Area Boundary.
D-3 was snowboarder triggered but person unknown at this time. From the tracks it looks like they were caught and carried 100' vertical feet and luckily escaped.
Forecaster note: unfortunately, the party did not contact ski patrol, and a search resulted.
1. Always call in triggered avalanches, especially those that are close to resorts, even if no one is caught.
- Ogden - Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123)
2. Searches put the rescuers at risk.
3. Even if you are just out of bounds, feet from a resort boundary and can see the resort, backcountry terrain is different and has no avalanche mitigation work.
Coordinates