Check out our Holiday Auction - Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW)

Avalanche: Dougs Drop

Observer Name
E
Observation Date
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » Dougs Drop
Location Name or Route
Doug's Drop - Silver Fork
Elevation
9,800'
Aspect
East
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Dry Loose
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
Density Change
Depth
9"
Width
50'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Comments
Got caught and carried today by a fast moving, far running sluff in steep terrain just south of Doug's Drop in Silver Fork.
Did a ski cut near the top of the slope with no results. Then proceeded onto the slope and after about 15 turns got hit by a fast moving sluff / soft slab from above. It carried me at surprisingly high speed right towards a group of trees but I was fortunately able to arrest into the bed surface and get off to the side.
There was a stout sun crust under the new snow that probably allowed the sluff to pick up speed quickly.
No injuries, fortunately.
Debris pile shown against mid-slope trees.
Comments
Another photo by Colgan/Horn
Coordinates