Avalanche: Lacawaxan

Observer Name
B
Observation Date
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Lacawaxan
Location Name or Route
ENE Facing Lacawaxan
Elevation
10,700'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
Density Change
Depth
2'
Width
200'
Vertical
600'
Comments

A Skier entered the upper starting zone, and the Sensitivity of the Reactive Density Change in the New Storm Snow (1 to 2 inches above the New Snow/Old Snow Interface) allowed for propagation. This Storm Slab appeared to be at least 200 feet wide and it ran to the flats at the bottom of the runout zone. The debris piled up to at least 3 feet, and possibly 4 feet. The toe of the debris overran the public exit traverse. A quick hasty beacon search indicated that there was no one buried that was carrying a beacon; and the Tracks on the right Flank was the only apparent Rider evidence. The person that initiated the slide came into view out of the fog after we were observing the slide for approximately 5 minutes. The Starting Zone was at least 40 degrees, and it had a very slick/hard Old Snow Surface. It appeared that the long running length of this slide was enhanced by this Old Snow Surface.

Coordinates