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Avalanche: Moffit Basin

Observer Name
Kikkert
Observation Date
Friday, March 23, 2018
Avalanche Date
Friday, March 23, 2018
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Bear River West Fork » Moffit Basin
Location Name or Route
Moffit Basin
Elevation
10,600'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
37°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Cornice Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
4'
Width
800'
Vertical
500'
Snow Profile Comments

Profile taken at crown. However, there is considerable variability across the slope, with many weaker areas. Thoughts are that the cornice drop collapsed the slope in a thinner, weaker area.

Comments

Large slide triggered by kicking a large cornice. Cornice triggered a wind slab when it hit the slope below, which then triggered a persistent slab in an area that had previously slide. Slide then propagated out across the slope. Total width ended up being approximately 800 feet wide, with an average crown depth of 4 feet. Ran approximately 500 vertical, taking out several trees on the way. This is an area that had shown a relatively strong, but highly variable snowpack. Up to this point, there has not been a connected slab. However, iwarming and wind loading created a more connected slab. Natural avalanche activity in adjacent drainages (see separate avalanche observation) shows that other slopes are in the same situation. Photos below show the crown (taken from near the center looking both directions) and debris.