Observer Name
Ian
Observation Date
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » Meadows
Location Name or Route
Meadows
Elevation
9,200'
Aspect
Southeast
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Remotely Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
14"
Width
100'
Comments
Additional pics of previously reported meadows slide showing very similar/identical angles/aspects/elevations absolutely obliterated by skiers
![](https://utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2024-25/IMG_6348.jpeg?itok=4FcBfLyz)
![](https://utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2024-25/IMG_6349.jpeg?itok=vP45nJdA)
![](https://utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2024-25/IMG_6352.jpeg?itok=hjuYDcGQ)
![](https://utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2024-25/IMG_6348_0.jpeg?itok=Q5Q6xTzf)
![](https://utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2024-25/IMG_6351.jpeg?itok=VEs0OdIo)
Comments
From the original party - Skied a partial lap and pulled up about halfway to skin back up. Not being super familiar with the terrain we were breaking trail back up to the ridge and ended up on a bit of a southeast facing rollover that was feeling way more steep and sketchy than we were comfortable with. Hand and pits revealed 8-9" new snow over obvious 2" graupel layer over slick crust. Got a loud wumpf, then a few minutes later second wumpf which released a large pocket next to and just above the skin track. Slide ran about 200 yards down to lower angle through a couple big aspens. I have no idea why we didn't get slid too as the slope was eaily over 30, probably pushing 35. Just luck I guess. Anyway, it was only a little ways to lower angle terrain above and there didn't seem to be a good alternative so we continued up to ridge. Dug a pit on a northeast slope just below the ridge. Noticeably poor structure, both in graupel layer and facets about 18"-24" deep. Got and ECT 12 and 21 on the deeper facets. Slab above was very cohesive and both results were obvious and scary. Given the depth it seems like the earlier slide happened on the facets, not the graupel. Easy decision to back off to more familiar lower angle terrain and skiing was great everywhere.
Comments
Via another party - we were witness to two skiers ascending in a very non typical area near El Rollo to the North. Noticed the slide on one of our laps next door and with one group member still climbing near the crown they caused moving without any panic so we assumed all was good and called it into solitude ski patrol to be safe. About a foot deep maybe 75 ft wide running 400 vertical to the flat. New snow Dirt/Graupel sun crust appeared to be the weak layer.
Coordinates