Avalanche: Kessler Peak

Observer Name
B
Observation Date
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Avalanche Date
Monday, April 27, 2015
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Kessler Peak
Location Name or Route
North Slide Path/God's Lawnmower
Elevation
9,600'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Wet Loose
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Weak Layer
Wet grains
Depth
Unknown
Width
Unknown
Vertical
Unknown
Comments

Multiple Loose Wet Avalanches were observed throughout the upper starting zones on the North Slide Path of Kessler Peak/God's Lawnmower; and the Central/Middle Chute appeared to have initiated a much larger slide that entrained significant amounts of snow in the mid to lower runout zone. Destructive Size estimated at D 2.5.

Widespread similar activity noted on numerous other upper elevation/alpine North facing steep terrain. Of note: Stairs, LSB and Thunder Bowl appeared to have like activity.

Avalanches appeared to have run either on the 27th and or the morning of the 28th. All activity appeared to be running primarily in the new snow from the latest event, and possibly gouging into and below the old pre-storm surface.

Picture was taken at 1300 on the 28th, and no new activity was noted later in the day. The extreme warming forecasted for the 29th may help trigger more of these dangerous Natural Avalanches.

Coordinates