Observer Name
Noel Stewart
Observation Date
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Marly
Location Name or Route
Patsy Marley -- Little Cottonwood Canyon
Elevation
9,400'
Aspect
West
Slope Angle
36°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Wet Loose
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow
Depth
12"
Width
50'
Vertical
400'
Comments
Party of two skiing off summit of Patsy Marley about 2:30 pm. The backside and top were blown with cornices and wind crust that was significant about 4” to 6”, and showing signs of fracturing along the up track. At the summit, it was blown off snow crust and wind damaged. The top had definite temps that were cold and winter-like. After skiing down the first 150 ft. or so of vertical it seemed like the crust softened up. Prolly a lack of judgment to decided to go further down the rabbit hole. Another 500 ft. and the first avalanche broke on a ski cute, from the second skier down, and could easily have taken this skier down about 500 ft., with the run out. Had he gone down, definitely would have ruined the day. Subsequent other slabs were breaking all the way down (another 3 to 4 broke) as we possibly entered into areas where the wind and chill factor did not mitigate the temperatures to stop the effects of wet slab breaking on the fracture line of the new snow. That is the most I have seen Patsy breaking in some significant times skiing the mountain. Prolly would not recommend anyone go up there for more of the same, until it settles out more. It was crust but was ski-able and some fun turning.