Observer Name
Skier 2
Observation Date
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Avalanche Date
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » west porter
Location Name or Route
West Porter
Elevation
9,200'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
Density Change
Depth
4"
Width
200'
Vertical
200'
Caught
2
Carried
1
Snow Profile Comments
Fracturing on surface within the new snow layer approximately 3" deep. Very sensitive. Several remote triggers in the zone.
Comments
Group of 4 skiing West Porter. We noticed instability in the snow surface from the start that got worst through the morning. We skied one run and noticed a few small avalanches (snow profile picture) along the way. The problem felt manageable, but we decided not to ski our planned objectives for the day given the instability, and rather stick to below 30.
On the way up to our second run, we noticed the surface was becoming more unstable as the snow fell and we saw several larger slides failing approximately 3-6" deep but propagating several hundred feet.
We decided not to push steep terrain. The group of 4 briefly discussed a plan to ski (one at a time) and regroup in an island of safety, then discuss a plan to cross a zone of overhead hazard. We regrouped but (mistake 1), did not discuss a plan to cross.
Skier 1 started to cross and skier 2 followed about 10ft behind. Skier 3 and 4 were about the same distance behind. Skier 2 saw the snow surface fracture about 75ft above Skier 1 and yelled avalanche and told the group to ski (we were currently traversing).
Skier 2 looked up and the snow propagating on the surface (3-4" deep) up slope about 150 ft. This caused significantly more snow to begin running and caused the slide to pick up speed. Skier 2 yelled at the group to "ski right." Skier 1 and 2 skied out of the slide path. Skier 3 was caught and carried into a small stand of trees and lost a ski and pole which we later found. Skier 4 was caught but not carried. Nobody was buried.
The lesson from this... while we were reading the signs of the day and modified our plan accordingly, we did not stop to discuss our plan to cross the overhead hazard as originally planned. We should have regrouped and discussed our plan, then crossed one at a time to avoid exposing the entire group to the overhead risk.
Coordinates