Utah Avalanche Center

Wind rapidly picked up as we were finishing up our pit. Transport was evident and was blowing crust pieces the size of dinner plates around freely.

Facets have adjusted to loading. Really surprised to see the buried surface hoar. It was a very obvious stripe. Easy to find on most slopes other than south. Did not look for it on open wind affected slopes.

Profile notes recorded by Trent Meisenhiemer. Crown face of skier triggered avalanche.

Very loose facets and widely varied slab hardness and depth in the forest

Weaknesses both in the surface hoar on surface and low density snow just beneath; as well 5cm of depth hoar above glacial ice layer.

Myriad weaknesses: surface hoar on surface, weakening df/squares below; facet crust sandwiches and basal depth hoar above "glacial ice layer"