Avalanche: Spire

Observer Name
J. Ostlind
Observation Date
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Avalanche Date
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine » Spire
Location Name or Route
The Spire
Elevation
9,600'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Remotely Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
2'
Width
50'
Comments
We noticed lots of whumfing throughout the day skiing in the Dog Dish area. Also saw large slide on northern Tri Chute (seperate observation). On our way out we approached a steep rollover on the northeast flank of the spire. Testing the slope resulted in another loud whumf. We anticipated the slope might likely slide but considered the terrain to be low consequence and the slab depth to be fairly shallow. First skier on the slope triggered a slab that released once skier was near the bottom of the run. Skier was not carried or caught. Good sized debris pile a couple feet deep accumulated at the bottom of the slope. Angle at the top was likely around 35 degrees. Depth or crown 24"-30".
Coordinates