Avalanche: Rock Bowl

Observer Name
Eric and Amy Flygare
Observation Date
Friday, March 8, 2019
Avalanche Date
Friday, March 8, 2019
Region
Logan » Logan River » Tony Grove » Rock Bowl
Location Name or Route
Rocky Bowl / Mt. Magog
Elevation
8,700'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
35°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Dry Loose
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
8"
Width
50'
Vertical
300'
Comments
We observed several fresh avalanches in the Tony Grove area today. Three avalanches on east and northeast facing slopes between 8500 and 9000 feet. Two avalanches in Rocky Bowl and one on the east face of Mt Magog. All three avalanches involved the new snow from Thursday night (top 4-8 inches) and did not step down into the snow from Wednesday and Thursday. All three were similar in size 30-50 feet wide and ran several hundred feet. All three started mid slope with no apparent triggers i.e. cornice fall, skiers, etc.
We tested several steep (>35 degrees) north facing test slopes in the area and could not get anything to slide other than top sluff. No other avalanches were noted.
We noticed a fairly significant melt/freeze layer on the southern half of the compass below 8000 feet. The snow seemed to hold up better above that elevation.