Observer Name
S Simonds
Observation Date
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Alexander Basin
Location Name or Route
Alexander Basin
Elevation
8,500'
Aspect
West
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Depth
Unknown
Width
Unknown
Vertical
Unknown
Comments
Observed this avalanche from above tute suite looking down into Alexander basin. Appears to be a hard wind slab on a hard west facing bed surface. We believe it occurred between our first and second laps around 11am. Not sure if the party who triggered it was aware.
Also observed cornice fall on the prominence on the western ridge of of yellow jacket trees on the sun exposed treeless north east facing aspect, which may have occurred that morning with warming, but we were uncertain.
Also appeared to be older avalanche debris from several
slides (maybe from yesterday or day before as it was
significantly wind drifted over) in depth hoar bowl that I'm not sure was reported.
Snow surface was wind impacted and "grabby" on top 100ft under ridge on NE aspects with a thin wind crust but much nicer below. New snow was heavy with thin sun crust on west facing slope of yellow jacket where skin track gains ridge. It was colder than we all expected, wind died down throughout the day and sun came out around 11am.
Coordinates