Observer Name
Nate Zollinger
Observation Date
Friday, March 27, 2020
Avalanche Date
Friday, March 27, 2020
Region
Logan » Providence Canyon » Providence Peak » Three Terraces
Location Name or Route
Three Terraces, Providence Peak
Elevation
9,500'
Aspect
Southeast
Slope Angle
40°
Trigger
Snowmobiler
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
15"
Width
150'
Vertical
500'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Comments
Though most recent avalanches in the area were on east facing slopes, this slope has a bit more south to it but there's a knob that loads with westerly winds where the slide was triggered. The steep slope is very exposed and even light winds can load it very quickly. It is in close proximity to the Fairgrounds and Rodeo grounds off of Logan Peak.
The very experienced rider was climbing up the ridge to the riders left of the slide path and had planned on not riding the slope. He turned around just above the slope and started down the ridge off to the slope side a bit when the avalanche occurred. He was flipped off his sled and stayed high on the slope as the avalanche and his sled went to the bottom of the hill. Other members of his party were watching from a safe zone and once the avalanche stopped moving, the rider communicated he was ok. The rider rode the avalanche for only about 50-100' vertical before he stopped in the debris. He had an airbag but did not deploy it.
Video