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Avalanche: South Monitor Bowl

Observer Name
B
Observation Date
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Avalanche Date
Monday, December 22, 2014
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Monitors » South Monitor Bowl
Location Name or Route
South Monitor
Elevation
9,900'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
42°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
14"
Width
200'
Vertical
700'
Comments

Up to 2 inches of NSF's were resting on a m/f crust prior to the latest event. Wind loading and heavy snowfall appeared to be the trigger. There was only 2 to 3 inches of snow on the bed surface, and this would have had the avalanche occurring mid to late afternoon on the 22nd. There may have been people walking on the ridge in the storm and remotely triggering via a collapse. Yet, as no one has discussed this possibility, it may have been triggered Naturally. The debris ran to the flats. R2, D3. Of Note; It appeared to initiate in a very shallow area right below the ridge, And, despite very weak snow left under the remaining m/f crust (bed surface), it did not step down.