Observer Name
Konigsberg/Earle/Costaschuk/Dromgoole
Observation Date
Friday, January 11, 2013
Avalanche Date
Friday, January 11, 2013
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Alexander Basin
Location Name or Route
Alexander Basin
Elevation
9,300'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
18"
Width
50'
Vertical
500'
Comments
First skier triggered 1st slide unintentionally. Slide broke above skier mid-slope and washed around him due to very soft nature of slab. First skier skied to bottom of the path and waited in a safe spot.
Second skier skied down slope, uncertain if first skier had triggered a slide (visibility was nil) but was aware that 1st skier was in a safe spot. Second skier got to about mid-slope and stopped, noticing a crown. While stopping at the crown a secondary slide was initiated above the 1st slide. Again very soft slab that washed around second skier.
Remaining skiers stopped above crown and confirmed that the weak layer was facets below a rime crust. Debris deep enough to bury a person- size 2.
Of note- although there was intense wind loading at the ridge, there was no wind loading at present or previous mid-slope where slide was triggered.
Coordinates