Avalanche: West Desolation Ridge

Observer Name
Pat G.
Observation Date
Friday, March 28, 2014
Avalanche Date
Friday, March 28, 2014
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » West Desolation Ridge
Location Name or Route
West Desolation Bowl?
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
36°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
Graupel
Depth
18"
Width
45'
Vertical
400'
Comments
After skiing a line above powder park, I traversed around the lower right side of the face and came under a rockband that was windloaded. Traversing maybe another ten feet, I stomped once and the slab broke below me. It ran around the corner continuing to carry debris which is in the photos. The slide ran slow and a lot further than I had anticipated. I waited to ski over the bed surface after the slide settled and took a few shots of the face and crown.
Coordinates