Observer Name
MacDonald
Observation Date
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Murdock Peak
Location Name or Route
Murdock Peak East of North Bowl
Elevation
9,400'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
35°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
18"
Width
150'
Vertical
100'
Caught
3
Comments
The avalanche occurred below the ridge line just east of North Bowl on Murdock Peak. The slope is a short concave bowl with old growth below and on the sides, and a cornice above. Our goal was to gain the ridge line after hiking through the old growth. As we entered the bowl we hugged the trees along the slightly steeper slope on hikers left, rather than cross the shallower slope beneath the cornice. The slide broke out about 25 feet above the lead hiker who was right above a tree that stopped both skier and a lot of snow. Two additional hikers were lower and on the edge of the slide and received a shove. The slide ran about 100 feet and resulted in an approximately three foot deep debris pile at tree line. The crown line ranged from 12-18 inches. Cornices were sensitive and cracking was observed as a result of the slide (see photo). There was also evidence of a previous smaller slide further west that could not be seen from below.
