Cougar triggered avalanche failed below the brown layer.

Avalanche Advisory December 23, 2004

valanche Conditions:

While it was mostly quite in the backcountry yesterday, with a few powder and wet sluffs being reported, one large avalanche occurred that is worth special mention. This took place in the upper Red Pine drainage and was triggered by a cougar, who escaped unharmed. It was 400’ across, 1 1/2 to 3 feet deep and ran about 200’ to a gentle bench before settling into a 4 -5’ deep debris pile. This slid on a 35 degree NE facing slope at 10,400’ and failed on faceted crystals about 1” below the “brown layer” from two weeks ago. It was roughly 100’ below the ridgeline and was most likely triggered in a more heavily wind drifted area. While this might be an anomaly, it illustrates the potential for easily triggered, powerful avalanches to occur in isolated pockets above 9,500’ on northern aspects with windloaded drifts. Steep, open bowls with no anchors should be approached on your best avalanche behavior while the snowpack adjusts to this new load. Further details and photos of this avalanche will be posted on the Salt Lake section of avalanche.org later today.

Fortunately, there is still plenty of safe, stable skiing in wind sheltered areas, or on slopes less steep than 30 degrees at higher elevations.