Avalanche: Wilson Fork

Observer Name
mark white
Observation Date
Monday, February 17, 2014
Avalanche Date
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Wilson Fork
Location Name or Route
Wilson Headwall
Elevation
9,200'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Natural
Trigger: additional info
Cornice Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Depth Hoar
Depth
3'
Width
250'
Vertical
600'
Comments

Saw two avalanches off the Wilson Headwall The bigger one was NE facing, crown length was between 250 and 300ft propagating down both ridge lines. Crown depth was about 3.5 feet at the deepest part, ran full track to the flats, ran on facets at the ground interface, taking out the whole years snow pack. Looked to be triggered by a natural cornice drop either yesterday or the day before. Photos.

Forecaster Comments: I was in the area today and went to look at the slide as well. I concur that it probably occurred yesterday because there was very little new snow on the wind protected sections. I did not feel like it was safe to get to the fracture line but it was obvious what it was running on--the weak faceted snow near the ground and in some areas, it looked like weak faceted snow above a crust. I would say the deepest areas were more like 4 or 5 feet but averaged 3 feet. There are many other slopes in the area that are identical that have not avalanched. Spooky. Thanks for all your hard work, Mark - Bruce Tremper

Whole slide.

Close up of the top of the crown.

Crown on the forested ridge line.

Crown on the ridge line.

Bed surface.

Comments

Smaller slide in the corner pocket north facing appeared to be new snow only.