Snowpit on a south-southeast facing aspect (174 degrees) in an attempt to mimic the crown profile of the avalanche. Height of snow was 540cm (17.7'). 2 distinctive dirt layers (one at 120 and one at 225cm from the surface). The layer of greatest concern is the decomposing stellars because that is the next most likely layer that a human could trigger an avalanche on (coupled with warm temperatures). Best guess is that the failure layer was one of the melt freeze crusts 190-225cm from the surface. I lean towards the one at 225cm down based on the below crown photo from the Alta Snow Safety team that shows another dirt layer.

Aspect of the avalanche was south-southeast. Triggered remotely to UDOT avalanche control work in Emma 4 Wyssen air blast. The Wyssen tower was measured out at 2000' from where the slide was.

Slide started on the ridge and then broke out to the gunners right hand side about 9600'. This avalanche flowed down over the summer road and through the gulch. The toe of the debris was approximately 500' linear feet from the UAC "Are you beeping" sign. This was a spectacular avalanche. There were trees that were 12-16" in diamater in the debris field. This avalanche would have been unsurvivable.

Photo 4-5 (Alta Cat Crew )

Photo 6-8(Alta Avalanche Office)