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Avalanche: Main Porter

Observer Name
Gagne
Observation Date
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Avalanche Date
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork » Main Porter
Location Name or Route
Main Porter Fork
Elevation
9,600'
Aspect
Northwest
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Unknown
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
18"
Width
80'
Vertical
150'
Comments
We saw what was likely a natural avalanche that failed on facets on a steep northwest aspect off of Mt. Raymond down into Main Porter Fork. We were unable to get closer to the crown due to hazard on adjacent slopes, but the crown was about 30-45 cms deep and filled in with snow, which indicates it likely failed on the PWL at the old snow surface. Dimensions for the avalanche are estimates.
This was the only avalanche we saw that failed as a soft slab and not a sluff, and this indicates that most slopes just need a slab on top of the PWL to become reactive.
No photo due to poor visibility.
Coordinates