Public Field Report
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 8, 2023Submitted:
February 8, 2023Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Carbonate East ChutesTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
LowerAspect:
EComments:
Came through the pinch near the bottom with some speed. Much larger sluff than expected. Couldn't tell where it started or how deep. Extremely sugary.Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Group of 5 skied the second chute from the South. We had skied the fourth chute the day before with great snow. Today the snow was less consistent and become very sugary near the pinch at the bottom. Three of us from just below the pinch saw sluff heading down, one of our party skied into it from above and got knocked down but regained her feet. It was a much larger sluff than I would have expected. We couldn't tell where it came from exactl- my guess is a turn she made from skiers right higher up and it started slow then gained momentum on the old surface that had previously slid combined with the steep slope. Not going to bury anyone but if it had dragged the member of our party through the pinch it would not have been pretty. Good reminder to keep good travel practices, stay out of the firing line, and be aware of sluff, even though it hasn't snowed in weeks.