Observer Name
Manship/Nassetta
Observation Date
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Avalanche Date
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Region
Uintas » Bald Knoll
Location Name or Route
Bald Knoll
Elevation
9,800'
Aspect
North
Trigger
Unknown
Depth
4'
Width
350'
Snow Profile Comments
We dug our pit next to the debris of an avalanche on a north slope. It has been wind loaded, hence the high HS. But this seemed to be similar to slopes where avalanches where happening. It had a very hard slab over facets with a crust mixed in there.
Comments
Snowmobiling out of Mill Hollow we noticed this ridge line around Bald Knoll that had multiple avalanches spanning the majority of the ridge. We came to inspect and believe that they where remotely triggered from snowmobilers below the slope, the avalanches appeared very fresh.
The main avalanche I am reporting from this ridge line was over 300' wide and ran about 150 feet. The crown was anywhere from 1'-4' it broke to the ground in old facets. It appeared to be connected by a crust. The slope was wind loaded and contained a very hard (pencil hard) slap above the week layer. This slab deposited debris 4-10' deep and could have easily buries someone who was on the slope.
Photos 1-3 are the first avalanche discussed.
Other than this avalanche we noted multiple other avalanches and NW-NE aspects breaking on slopes harboring old faceted snow with crusts. Many of these happened on slopes that where smaller with tracks near by.
Photos 4-7 are other slides that we took photos of.
We also noted wide spread collapsing and many shooting cracks on slopes harboring old facets. These cracks would spider web out and if the slope was a little steeper, would have produced an avalanche.
Other than this, snow stayed cold and in sheltered terrain great riding conditions where widespread if you could avoid hidden stumps and rocks.
Video
Coordinates