Avalanche: Snake Creek

Observer Name
B
Observation Date
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Snake Creek Pass
Location Name or Route
Caribou and Snake Creek Canyon
Elevation
Unknown
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow
Depth
8"
Width
Unknown
Vertical
Unknown
Comments

Widespread Natural Avalanche Cycle occurred around 1300 during the Strong SW Wind and High PI period. All E, NE and N facing slopes off of Preston Peak and North Facing terrain off of the Caribou Ridgeline with angles > 35 degrees released Naturally with the initial 1 inch of Light Density Snow from overnight serving as the apparent Weak Layer. Crowns of up to 10 inches were observed with the average being 8 inches deep. Some of the Avalanches Observed appeared to have been triggered by Cornice Falls. Cornices were building Rapidly, and the paths were almost completely reloaded with in 2 hours.

Comments

Poor photo quality due to Intense Winds and Transport combined with Obscured Skies.