Observer Name
Bill Nalli
Observation Date
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Avalanche Date
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Upper Days
Elevation
10,400'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
39°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
Density Change
Depth
5"
Width
20'
Vertical
100'
Snow Profile Comments
This pit from E aspect at 10,450' in Upper Days was dug 100' below ridgeline where there was not as much of a hard slab on the surface. I imagine many other exposed locations with this same structure now have a tricky hard slab on top. It will be very important to evaluate each slope for this booby trap setup.
Comments
Travel was up Toledo Bowl to Flagstaff Peak and along Reed and Benson Ridge into Upper Days Fork. Wind damage from recent East wind was apparent the entire way. The snow surface is a mixed bag with everything from a hard supportable 12cm wind slab to a 6cm breakable wind slab to 1cm wind skin to low density settled powder. The areas of greatest concern are where the unusual east wind has loaded normally benign areas with a stubborn but breakable hard slab. With the new snow now covering this booby trap I suspect this combination to cause trouble.
The photo below is of one of these pockets of hard slab near a ridge that didnt fail until I jumped on it from the middle of the slab. It was very small and unconsequential but with more load, or if I wasn't expecting it, could easily have taken me for a ride.
Comments
Another small hardslab collapsed near rocky outcrop
Comments
Once considered safe south aspects now also have this booby trap hard slab from the east wind. Now covered from this latest 10" storm, all terrain should be approached with caution.
Coordinates