Avalanche: Wilson Glade

Observer Name
Kap & Nagle
Observation Date
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Avalanche Date
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Wilson Fork » Wilson Glade
Location Name or Route
Wilson Glades
Elevation
9,300'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
18"
Width
50'
Comments
Experienced cracking and collapsing on ridge up
to Wilson Peak. Performed belayed ski cut on the northern most chute of Wilson to see if we could get anything to move. Slope produced shooting cracks but did not move. Skied two laps into Wilson Glades without incident. For third lap, headed further N down ridge before dropping into the open slope above the pines. Slight change in aspect, slope angle and transition from concave slope to convex slope was enough to produce a slab avalanche. First skier down the slope triggered it and was able to ski off to the skiers right. Crown of slide was roughly 18" failing on facets. 50' wide. Running 200-300' down into the pines. Slope angle 33.
Additional comments as provided by the party with their permission -
Coordinates