Drew Hardesty
Forecaster
Dangerous and Unusual Avalanche Conditions Across the State
Three significant avalanche accidents have occurred in the past week. Two accidents required the assistance of Search and Rescue to evacuate the injured victims. Another victim was unconscious but soon able to self-evacuate. WHAT IS UNUSUAL is that each of these avalanche accidents took place in the lower elevations bands below 8000’. What this means is that these avalanches can occur not far from parking lots or trailheads. These dangerous avalanches are 1-4’ deep at the top fracture line and easily triggered from below.
These dangerous avalanche conditions will continue through the weekend.
Friday December 9th, 2022: Loafer Mountain (south of Spanish Fork in the Provo mountains): A skier was caught, carried, and pinned up against a tree, unconscious. He soon gained consciousness and was able to ski out on his own. The soft slab avalanche, failing on a persistent weak layer of faceted grains, was estimated to be 1’ deep but 600’ wide on a steep north-facing slope at 7800’.
Tuesday, December 13, 2022: Pink Pine of Little Cottonwood Canyon: A skier was caught, carried, and partially buried in an avalanche. He suffered significant leg, face, and chest injuries and had to be evacuated by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue. The soft slab avalanche, failing on a persistent weak layer of faceted grains, was estimated to be 2-3’ deep and 100’ wide on a steep north facing slope at 7800’.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022: Thomas Fork of Neffs Canyon: A lone skier was caught, carried, and buried chest deep in an avalanche, suffering significant leg trauma. An off duty firefighter skiing nearby heard his cries for help. He had to be evacuated by Salt Lake County SAR. The soft slab avalanche, failing on a persistent weak layer of faceted grains, was estimated to be 2’ deep and 200’ wide on a steep northwest facing slope at 7200’.
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