Observer Name
Jake K
Observation Date
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Avalanche Date
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork
Location Name or Route
Porter Fork
Elevation
9,500'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
Unknown
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
50'
Vertical
600'
Comments
After skiing a run in West Porter Fork, we skinned into the Western section of Main Porter Fork and went up the ridge. The snow was highly variable and we suspected wind loading could be an issue. From the low point in the ridge, while discussing whether to drop in or backtrack, I barely put the weight of my skis on the slope and we could immediately hear the snow rumbling. A slab about 18" deep and 50 feet wide broke and ran for ~500 to 600 feet. I easily regained the ridge once I felt the snow moving. We backtracked and skied down closer to the pass where Main Porter meets West Porter.
Coordinates