JB

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Bear Trap

Bear trap aspens

Of interest was a skin track adjacent to the pit location we chose. It had been used today before we got there. It crossed a 35 degree slope with signs of wind loading. It was the easiest path on our desired route, but seemed too risky for myself and partners, but another party of four crossed with little to no conversation. Using good technique (one at a time) they crossed,with only the last person asking how we felt about the slope. It was an interesting observation of the heuristic elements that come into play. I am in no way passing judgement on this party. They crossed safely without incident and it very well may have been within their risk comfort zone. It did seem that at least one person in that party did not feel entirely comfortable with the route. I wonder if with the knowledge of the results of the pit (done a half hour after) if some or all of the group would have reconsidered route choice. I would like to re-interate that I bring this up only because following friends or spouses is such an easy and natural thing to do that it is easy to overlook the consequences.

Ice crust

Ice from branches

High

High