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Avalanche: Little Pine

Observer Name
Anon/Skigan
Observation Date
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Avalanche Date
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Little Pine
Location Name or Route
Little Pine East
Elevation
10,800'
Aspect
South
Trigger
Unknown
Depth
Unknown
Width
Unknown
Comments
My partner and I headed up Little Pine East mid morning. There were a few small wet loose slides that released on the east facing side on our ascent that all arrested within 30 feet. We continued on for a bit and decided it was getting to warm and bailed about 800 feet from the top. We got to the final choke and I rode it first all the way out. I stopped in a safe zone to spot my partner. He was working through the rocky choke and was about 50 feet from being out when I saw a huge snow plum charging down the couloir. I yelled for my partner to go and he was able to straight line out of it and beat the slide. The debris was not deep enough to bury a person but had we been a minute later we both most likely would have pinballed down the couloir. We were the only ones in the couloir at the time we started descending. I believe that the slide released naturally. We got very lucky and very thankful it wasn't worse. (Picture of debris)
Comments
Skigan
Observed a large avalanche coming out of Little Pine East. After the snow ploom cleared, two skiers emerged from the area onto the apron. It's uncertain whether it was naturally triggered due to today's sun/warming or if anyone else was involved. A helicopter was seen circling the debris pile but was difficult to tell what was happening from the Pink Pine skin track.
Coordinates