Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Pit dug on shaded/loaded slope.

BTAC/JHAG recon south of resort boundary

test pit

Above avalanche bowl. Stable. New snow bonding well to melt-freeze crust which is breaking down.

Fatality site. Accident occurred April 1. Data collected immediately following rescue/recovery on April 2. Crown varied from 4 inches to four feet. Slab propagated along exposed ridge. Formed from recent wind loading. Although deep in spots did not extend far down slope (had no stauchwall). Slab carried victim a long distance and buried him. Slab faced south to southeast. Bedsurface was a slicker sun crust just down slope of the crown.

This pit shows more settlement(hardness) at the bottom of the snow received since Nov 25. This could be concentrating stresses and making slab more cohesive. Skied this terrain but stayed off the adjacent steeper gully.