Avalanche: Banana Days

Observer Name
PDiegel
Observation Date
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork » Banana Days
Location Name or Route
Banana Days AKA Banana Belt
Elevation
9,200'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
9"
Width
100'
Comments
Skied some moderately bold lines and experienced a few minor sluffs but triggered a significant wind slab late in the day on a short (~250 vert ft) steep (42 deg?) slope well below the ridge line and well sheltered by surrounding trees. Crown was 8-12 inches deep. The surprising aspect was that it broke as a slab over a much bigger than expected area, entrained a lot more snow than expected, and ran fast through some trees that could have caused injuries. The debris was not deep enough to completely bury a person, Skiing fast with an exit strategy is not a reliable way to stay safe but worked today. No harm done but this was embarrassing and sobering. Adding another 18+ inches of snow on top of that slab would have been much different and more serious story.
Coordinates