Avalanche: Argenta

Observer Name
JG
Observation Date
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Kessler Peak » Argenta
Location Name or Route
Argenta
Elevation
9,700'
Aspect
North
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Depth
14"
Width
30'
Comments
Triggered slide on second lap of upper Argenta. First lap was through the trees off the shoulder and had no signs of instabilities. Second lap I dropped from the same point but traversed skiers right to leave the trees higher and get into the open bowl. Knowing there would be more wind exposure on the edge of the trees I still wanted to ski cut the first bit just in case. Almost immediately when I started my cut the snow cracked just below my skis and propagated 10 ft in front of me. I was able to continue the cut across the slope to where I wanted to stop. Slide happened about 100 ft vertical below the ridge line.
Coordinates