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Avalanche: Emigration Canyon

Observer Name
Ryan Weber
Observation Date
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Avalanche Date
Monday, March 2, 2009
Region
SE Idaho » Emigration Canyon
Location Name or Route
ID Hwy 36, south side
Elevation
Unknown
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
30°
Trigger
Unknown
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Surface Hoar
Depth
2.5'
Width
200'
Vertical
350'
Comments

Thought this avalanche might be of interests even though it’s across the state line. We came across this avalanche skiing yesterday (03/03), looked recent to me. I included a few photos and a kmz file of the location.

Dug a pit at about a 10-15 degree angle, attempted my first isolated column with a ski edge, column slide during the isolation process. More carefully attempted a second isolated column this time the column didn’t slide until the second elbow tap. The shear layer appeared to be caused by a hoar frost layer about an inch thick (approximately at a 30” depth). The Slide appeared to be on not much more then a 25 degree angle, NE aspect, with no signs of human triggering. I was amazed this slope went.