Observer Name
Tyler Dustman
Observation Date
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Avalanche Date
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Back Side of No Name Peak
Elevation
8,900'
Aspect
Northwest
Slope Angle
35°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
18"
Width
80'
Vertical
300'
Caught
1
Carried
1
Buried - Partly
1
Comments
This avalanche occurred while skinning up the backside of No Name Peak. The slab released in a open snowfield on a pine forested slope. Skier was carried about 40 feet, strained through large pine trees and partially buried, facing downhill with mouth and face uncovered. Rescue was performed by ski partner. No beacon search was necessary due to the victim being visible to the rescuer and oral communication between victim and rescuer. If the skier was not caught in the nearest trees and carried further, or was buried facing uphill, consequences could have been much worse. Upon seeing the fracture, skier instinctively pointed skis downhill to ski off slab, to no avail because of skins on skis.
Comments
If forecasters are inclined to investigate this report, I would welcome feedback as to snow profile, slope angle and any other observations. Thanks.
Coordinates