Observer Name
Aaron Barnett
Observation Date
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Avalanche Date
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
James Peak
Elevation
8,800'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger: additional info
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
7"
Width
200'
Vertical
150'
Comments
North Side of James Peak 8,800' N: SS-ASc-R1D1-I 6"-8" crown; 200' wide; 150” long
This slide occurred in the backcountry outside of the ski area. The new snow failed on the old snow surface. The interface was F+ in the new snow and 1F+ in the old, likely a MFcr. There was SH on top of the MFcr. The slide was very high energy and released 10-15 feet below my ski cut. I believe this was an isolated pocket of protected SH on the new/ old interface. The snow from 3 days ago has settled into a soft slab and the weak layer collapsed very easily. Not a major avalanche problem but be on the look out on similar sheltered/ high elevation slopes.
Coordinates
