Observer Name
PE2
Observation Date
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Avalanche Date
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Alexander Basin
Location Name or Route
Alexander Basin
Elevation
9,300'
Aspect
Northwest
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow
Depth
12"
Width
35'
Vertical
Unknown
Comments
Coming in to the tree zone slowly, we noticed the angle rapidly changing for the steep. The powder was deep so going slow was no problem. Hopping from tree to tree T and I made our way down. The terrain funneled into separate chokes. Sliding down to the next tree put us up next to the top of the chokes. The slab broke and sympathetically released two of the other chokes. The sympathetics happened in a domino effect. It was in a slow motion sort of way. The avalanche was only within the new snow. The debris pile was difficult to see because it was snowblowing so hard. It was not very significant in size but the consequences were very high.
Comments
What a difference a storm makes. Parked at Butler. Butler Trail was real nice going up. No dirt patches on the skin track. That west facing wall at the beginning of the trail always makes me nervous. Windy and stormy most of the day. Last lap had excellent visibility. Starting from Wilson Peak we went north, we turned left too soon and skied. Made second lap in lower angle pow of Alexander Basin. Exit to shuttle in Millcreek.
Coordinates