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Avalanche: Microwave

Observer Name
S Simonds, T Lobe
Observation Date
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Avalanche Date
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Microwave
Location Name or Route
Microwave
Elevation
9,900'
Aspect
West
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Depth
6"
Width
50'
Vertical
Unknown
Comments
I triggered this avalanche (6 in deep by 50 feet wide and running 150 feet) at the steep rollover midway down the microwave slope directly under the structure. Dug a pit at a similar aspect and elevation; We did expect the new snow to break about 6in down on what might of been a slight sun crust from earlier in the day: ECTX1 there were several layers within the new snow down almost 2 feet that fractured but did not propagate or propagate cleanly; shovel shear tests did not show much energy in there fracture; stepping off the track did not produce shooting cracks or any slab by cohesion. Above and below the slide path the snow sloughed and slid gently at every turn. However; at the roll over I was surprised by the slide and how connected this soft slab was with shooting cracks and even sympathetically (I believe ) triggering an adjacent pocket on a steep slope. It would not have buried a person, but might of knocked a person off their feet.
Called Alta Dispatch and reported the slide. Debriefed with my partner and we felt good about or choices. Skiing was phenomenal.
Coordinates