Avalanche: Bear Trap

Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Observation Date
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Avalanche Date
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Bear Trap
Location Name or Route
Beartrap
Elevation
8,400'
Aspect
Southeast
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Snowboarder
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
16"
Width
40'
Vertical
125'
Comments
Soft slab with a little bit of wind load on the SE aspect in exposed terrain in Beartrap. Triggered by the first rider of the group at the 38° roll on a small terrain feature. Flanks did not crack with other riders coming down. We did not check for the presence of graupel at the N/O interface but found it in hand pits throughout the day so it was likely present and contributed to this slab.
Coordinates