Avalanche: Cardiff Fork

Observer Name
Hardesty
Observation Date
Monday, February 18, 2013
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Lower Reed and Benson
Elevation
8,500'
Aspect
Northwest
Trigger
Natural
Trigger: additional info
Sympathetic Release
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Graupel
Depth
16"
Width
40'
Vertical
250'
Comments

Noted this natural from Kessler Peak. Looks to have been triggered by either rockfall or surface sluff from above. Estimated date of Saturday release. Saturday had warmer conditions...and one could easily see drifting from Sunday's cold front on the bed surface. Weakness noted to be recrystallized graupel. Hand hardness of the slab was pencil/knife.

It should be noted that mid elevation westerly to northwesterly slopes were exceedingly weak with plenty of sandboxing noted in the weak faceted snow. Very unlikely that this would be triggered by a person....

Video
Coordinates