Avalanche: Uintas

Observer Name
Bob Hansen
Observation Date
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Avalanche Date
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
two draws west of Avalanch hill
Elevation
9,900'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
30°
Trigger
Snowmobiler
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Depth
2.5'
Width
150'
Vertical
300'
Carried
1
Buried - Partly
1
Comments

I was traveling up the ridge to the side of the draw approx. 2/3rds the way up. To avoid getting stuck I turned in to the draw. As soon as I started in, the slide broke loose. I gave the sled full speed down the draw as the slide caught up to me. The second rider was on the ridge but the moving snow pulled him into the draw. I looked back to see the slide overcame him and his sled. By the time I could turn around the slide had came to a stop, and he was no where to be seen. I drove back up the slide area to where I thought I had last seen him. As I am gettin my peeps out I heard him yell. He had been carried down the slide and to the side, pushed into pines. He was buried to his waist and the sled was almost completely buried. He was able to get himself out, then we dug his sled out. We both had avalanche peeps on.

Coordinates