Avalanche: Big Cottonwood Canyon

Observer Name
B
Observation Date
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Avalanche Date
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Elevation
8,500'
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Roof Avalanche
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Depth
8"
Comments
Widespread extremely dangerous Wet Loose Avalanche Cycle that was observed on all aspects as early as 1200 hours. Southerly aspects began shedding first as usual even at the upper reaches of the mid elevations. From 8500 down, even the northerly aspects were shedding from 1330 on. By the end of the day this cycle had included all aspects from at least 9000 feet down. The lower elevations were extremely dangerous in the afternoon hours even on the northerly aspects.
Also of note, many large and deadly roof avalanches began shedding on the 24th, but the largest and most dangerous roof avalanches had yet to shed by the end of the day on the 25th. With the Rapid Warming and unseasonably high temperatures forecast for Monday the 26th, the remainder of these roof avalanches will Likely be reactive and producing life threatening slides that have at least up to 30 cm of solid hard ice in their structure.
Coordinates