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Avalanche: Upper Horse Creek

Observer Name
Trenbeath
Observation Date
Monday, February 13, 2017
Avalanche Date
Monday, February 13, 2017
Region
Moab » Upper Horse Creek
Location Name or Route
Upper Horse Creek Laurel Saddle
Elevation
11,600'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Cornice
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
12"
Width
350'
Vertical
500'
Comments

6" of new, medium density snow with SE ridge top winds 15-20 mph with gusts into the high 20's. Just enough wind to move snow around and form sensitive cornices and soft wind slabs along upper elevation ridge crests facing N-NE. Intentionally dropped a few cornices that gouged into the loose snow, initiating some fairly long running sluffs. Found a section that looked more slabby and connected. Stomped on cornice and it released, pulling out a soft slab 350' wide. Isolated to the ridge crest, the slab tapered from 12" deep to 3" over a vertical span of about 20' though once moving, it entrained loose surface snow and ran for about 500' vertical feet.

Coordinates