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Avalanche: La Sal Mountains

Observer Name
Trenbeath
Observation Date
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Avalanche Date
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Region
Moab » La Sal Mountains
Location Name or Route
NE Face of Tukno (Gravel Pit Lanes)
Elevation
11,300'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
3.5'
Width
150'
Vertical
800'
Comments

Likely occurred Thu during storm. 7" of new snow that day with moderate SW winds. 10" hd fallen 3 days prior. SWE for the week was .8. Trigger appeared to be a shallow wind slab release from the ridge 500' above that then ran down through storm snow in a symmetrical flow triggering the deeper, persistent slab avalanche at the convexity above the gully. Slab propagated wider further down slope and above cliffs to lookers left widening to about 200'. A few smaller slides with similar characteristics released on the face to the lookers left, then running over cliffs and triggering slabs below.

Snow has been accumulating since early Feb on top of our weak snowpack that is plagued by facets at the base. Loads have not been significant enough for a widespread cycle but similar natural activity occurred a week prior after incremental loading over a period of 5 days totaling 1.5-2" SWE.

Coordinates