Avalanche: Summit Park

Observer Name
Noah Jordahl
Observation Date
Monday, March 4, 2019
Avalanche Date
Monday, March 4, 2019
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon » Summit Park
Location Name or Route
Summit Park
Elevation
8,300'
Aspect
North
Trigger
Skier
Depth
10"
Width
80'
Comments
Observed a north to slightly northeast facing sloped measured at 40-43 degrees at 8300' in Summit Park to have what appeared to be a ski or snowboard triggered avalanche that occurred likely this morning or late yesterday. I did not observe the skier involved, but in looking at the track leading onto the slope it appears that that they skied cross slope at the convex point of a very wind loaded ridge and triggered a ~80 foot wide by 10 inch deep wind slab. A quick compression test (CT11) demonstrated a reactive weak layer along the ridge line and lots of cornices and wind drifts. About 200 feet lower on the slope, and out of the wind an ECT showed very different results, there on a 40 degree slope we obtained an ECTN.
Coordinates