Observer Name
E. Whiting/UAC Staff/ Snowbasin Ski Patrol
Observation Date
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Region
Ogden » Hells Canyon
Location Name or Route
Hells Canyon-Toilet Bowl
Elevation
7,700'
Aspect
Southeast
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
16"
Width
50'
Vertical
250'
Comments
Notes from UAC/SBSP:
We observed one skier triggered avalanche on a southeast facing aspect in the Toilet Bowl region of Hells Canyon. This avalanche was skier triggered at 7700'. This avalanche ran on small grained facets above a melt-freeze crust. This avalanche broke above the skier. This avalanche is similar to some others that we've seen recently in wind-protected areas where there was enough time before the last storm for small facets to develop and be preserved on top of the crust.
Notes from Eric Whiting:
There is a hard solar baked layer about 16" under the new snow. This spot was in direct sunlight and was heating up quickly. I made on turn one the slope when it broke about 30' above me. Knocked me down but I was able to self arrest before being carried.
Photo above E. Whiting
Coordinates