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Avalanche: East Mineral

Observer Name
Kobernik
Observation Date
Friday, April 2, 2010
Avalanche Date
Friday, April 2, 2010
Region
Salt Lake » Mineral Fork » East Mineral
Location Name or Route
Elevation
10,300'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
40°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Weak Layer
Density Change
Depth
20"
Width
50'
Vertical
400'
Comments

I unintentionally, but not surprisingly, triggered a soft slab in the north chute of East Mineral. It broke about 10 feet above me on the steep roll over where it always breaks. I saw it crack and easily skied off the slab avoiding what could've been a ride down the chute. The weakness was within the newer snow about a few cm above the dirt layer. This was identified prior to the avalanche. It is interesting that this weakness is still somewhat sensitive 3 days after its formation. It's my opinion that you need a slope approaching 40 degrees to get these types of slides to release.

Comments

Here's a totally different type of instability that I observed.

Coordinates