Observer Name
M Turley
Observation Date
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Avalanche Date
Monday, March 19, 2018
Location Name or Route
Bomber Peak / Timpanogos massif/Upper Giant Staircase
Elevation
11,200'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
40°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
Unknown
Width
600'
Vertical
2,750'
Comments
Observed (not witnessed) from Highway 40 in Heber Valley at 3pm.
Not sure when it slid, but guessing yesterday (3/19).
Appears to have been originally triggered in the new storm snow (cornice fall, perhaps?) but quickly stepped-down to the ground before going over a band of cliffs, and then triggered two additional avalanches in the giant staircase area, the lower one running nearly to Scout Falls (~2,800' estimated total vertical).
The starting zone is NE-facing, high (11,200’ elevation), steep (~40º+), cliffy/rocky, frequently wind-loaded, and sits below a highly corniced ridge.
Coordinates
