UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Avalanche: Humpy Creek

Observer Name
Kikkert
Observation Date
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Humpy Creek
Location Name or Route
Humpy Creek
Elevation
10,500'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
40°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
2'
Width
40'
Vertical
300'
Comments

This slope has not been ridden this year, but has likely avalanched. Took a couple steps on the slope to test it and got a good collapse. Slab failed initially on mid-pack facets approximately 60 cm down from the surface. However, as the slab ran it stepped down into deeper weak layers, ultimately stepping down to the ground.

This slab illustrates our current avalanche hazard pretty well. Most slopes are stable and you can ride a lot of places. In fact we have skied areas right next to this slope. However, you can still trigger avalanches in specific terrain. Which is the definition of a moderate hazard ("heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features, evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern"). Features of concern right now are steep northerly facing slopes that are weak and thin due to rocks, previous avalanches, etc.

Comments

First photo shows the crown, with the dust layer from 2/18 visible. 2nd photo the path looking down. 3rd photo the path looking up showing the places it stepped down.