Observer Name
Garcia, Matthews
Observation Date
Monday, March 27, 2023
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
West Face Talking-Laurel Ridge
Elevation
11,100'
Aspect
West
Slope Angle
42°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
5'
Width
300'
Vertical
300'
Comments
Two avalanches occurred on this slope about 600 feet apart from each other. The dimensions above are for the avalanche on the lookers left of the slope. It is possible that one avalanche initiated and sympathetically triggered the other. The average depth of the crown was about four feet, with a maximum depth of 5 feet.
These avalanches most likely occurred on Wednesday 3/22 during the middle of a series of storms. The avalanche danger on 3/22 was rated HIGH. The snow started falling Sunday night into Monday 3/20 and by Wednesday the La Sals had received about 2 feet of snow and 2.6 - 3.0" of SWE. Extreme winds out of the SW blew 50-70 mph Tuesday night and Wednesday. This slope was heavily wind loaded. The avalanche failed on 1mm facets down about 1.5 meters. This avalanche is a good example of how strong winds can create unusual loading patterns in the mountains.
HS-N-R2-D2.5-O
Coordinates
