Observer Name
Matt Asay
Observation Date
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Periphery
Location Name or Route
Microwave
Elevation
10,000'
Aspect
West
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Wet Loose
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Depth
18"
Width
200'
Comments
Snow was slushy and surfy exiting Microwave and I decided to cut across an area that was littered with roller balls, to see how much would slide. Answer: a lot.
It was easy to stay out of the way of the rolling cement because I was cutting straight across. However, if someone were pointed downhill they'd likely get caught, as the "rolling cement" picked up speed as it went...and went...and went. Rolled 600-700 feet, entraining snow as it lumbered down the hill.
Very manageable on the Microwave. Much less so on a steeper, west-facing aspect late in the day.
