Observer Name
Caroline Gleich
Observation Date
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Location Name or Route
Exit couloir of the Grunge Couloir
Elevation
10,000'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
45°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
12"
Width
40'
Vertical
500'
Comments
We observed massive wind loading in the Grunge and on the north summit of Timpanogos today. Winds were blowing hard most of the day and cross loading the South west and North east subridges. Our party intentionally triggered a 8-12" wind slab on a cross-loaded subridge that broke on both sides. Wind speeds were much higher than the 5-15 mph predicted. We also observed sloughing and small wind slab crowns inside the Grunge that could sweep and carry a person down the couloir. Definitely a little touchy on the upper slopes of Northern Timp. I would advise parties heading up Timp in the next day or two to use extra caution until wind slabs stabilize.
