Observer Name
Ian Leader
Observation Date
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine Lake
Elevation
10,200'
Aspect
Northwest
Slope Angle
35°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
2'
Width
80'
Vertical
150'
Snow Profile Comments
New warmer/wetter storm slab on old cold/dry snow.
Comments
While ascending on skins, we had unintentionally strayed to the east of the white pine lake trail, and while traversing to return to the trail we encounter the slope in question. Skier 3 ascended 5-10 m to get a better view of the slope. Group decided to cross the slope by skiing a steep traverse on skins. Skier 1 crossed safely at a 45 degree traverse, followed by skier 2. Skier 3 then traversed from his higher location. At the point his tracks joined the tracks of skier 1,2, the triangle between the tracks collapsed, followed by fracturing above and below. Skier 3 was just able to clear the slope before the slabs gained speed. The terrain flattened in trees shortly below and the avalanche came to a halt.
Conditions: moderate snowfall, moderate-strong variable winds, visibility < 1 mile, temp high 20s F.
Image link: https://plus.google.com/113473223168033189021/posts/9hKTr5Cz5Qg