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Avalanche: Wilson Chutes

Observer Name
CStowe
Observation Date
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Wilson Fork » Wilson Chutes
Location Name or Route
Wilson Chutes
Elevation
9,800'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Snowboarder
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
20"
Width
50'
Comments
Avalanche occurred on our 2nd run today in the Wilson chutes. 2nd chute down the ridge, which has a pretty concave entrance. Avalanche was18-20" deep, broke as a soft slab, and run fast and loose fanning out into the apron. And running well into the flats. It contained all the storm snow from the latest storm cycle. It propagated across the entire chute from a slope cut. Bed surface was the old snow surface from last weeks warm up. So much graupel from the past 2 days seemed to have pooled just below the ridge. It was only the chute proper that had a clean fracture line. 6-8" deep on the left, with 18"+ on the right side.
Wilson has run many times this year, and every year! The one thing I do like about this terrain is the ability to safely slope cut the start zones, and a good clean run out. Weather was pleasant, with sunny skies, good temperatures, and no wind. No cracking or collapses.
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