Observer Name
Brighton Ski Patrol / UAC Staff
Observation Date
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Avalanche Date
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Hidden Canyon
Location Name or Route
Elk Ridge into Hidden Canyon
Elevation
9,600'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Unknown
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
3'
Width
600'
Vertical
Unknown
Comments
Avalanche out of Hidden Canyon near Brighton Ski Resort. This avalanche was on a northerly facing slope at 9,600' in elevation. It failed roughly 600' wide and anywhere from 2-4' deep, running into a nasty terrain trap that terminates into thick trees. The avalanche was reported by someone else to Brighton Ski Patrol, and upon inspection, it showed two tracks entering the avalanche with no tracks coming out the bottom. Brighton & Solitude Ski Patrols were called into the scene, and they were able to use Recco, along with two dog teams, to search the debris field. Luckily it was determined that nobody was caught in this avalanche. Please, if you trigger an avalanche, report it. There is no need to put others in harm's way if nobody is caught in the avalanche.
Photo shows the two tracks entering the crown of the avalanche.
Coordinates