Avalanche: Wolverine Cirque

Observer Name
Aaron Libby
Observation Date
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Avalanche Date
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Wolverine Cirque
Location Name or Route
Wolverine Cirque Granny Chute apron
Elevation
10,200'
Aspect
West
Trigger
Skier
Depth
8"
Width
30'
Carried
1
Comments
This was the second of two slides I observed today. The first was 5 minutes prior to this one at approximately 10:30. This one (the second one) occurred at approximately 10:35 A.M. both were within 50 feet of each other. This one was larger than the first and I was actually caught up in the slide. The fracture occurred about 50 feet directly above me and slid straight downhill to where it picked me up and I slid with it for about 30 feet. This was a loose slab and I found myself sinking in the slide to the point I was buried to my waist by the time movement stopped. I was able to free myself without the need of tools or other aid. The slide moved probably 100+ feet but came to rest fairly quickly. The previous slide I reported was wondering blown but this was very soft and protected from the wind... Ideal snow conditions for great powder turns... Had it been stable. After freeing myself I turned back and went out on the same skin track I came in on. [Forecaster Comment: It was possible this was a loose sluff as others reported weakening in the snow surface on Saturday.]
Coordinates