Avalanche: Limber Pine

Observer Name
Eric Bollow
Observation Date
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Avalanche Date
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Limber Pine
Location Name or Route
Limber Pine Couloir
Elevation
9,700'
Aspect
South
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Wet Loose
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Weak Layer
Wet grains
Depth
Unknown
Width
Unknown
Comments
Footage is of 2nd wet avalanche in Limber Pine Couloir at 1:27PM.
I was unable to capture footage of the larger and more deadly first wet avalanche that happened around 5 minutes earlier than the 2nd.
After successfully topping out and skiing Little Pine Couloir, I started ascending Limber Pine at around 11:50AM; erroneously thinking that temperatures up above 9k were cold enough to keep snow bonded. Fortunately, I was diligent to keep my attention above me watching for any moving snow. Not more than 10 minutes after clearing the steep, narrow, and rocky choke, I spotted a large train of snow coming my way. I narrowly, with only seconds to spare, escaped by quickly moving left to a small snowy rocky subridge/spine. 5 minutes later, a second wet slide came down (video attached). I stayed out until 3PM for the temps to drop a bit, and then descended the slide path safely. Feeling we're lucky, grateful, and stupid.
Video
Coordinates