Observer Name
Ted
Observation Date
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area » West Rustler
Location Name or Route
West Rustler
Elevation
9,700'
Aspect
West
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Wet Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Depth
12"
Width
50'
Carried
1
Comments
Hadn't seen any signs of instability and the new snow seemed decently bonded on the skin up, so decided to ski something steep-ish. Made two ski cuts at the top and nothing moved. Half way down the run the snow had other ideas and a point release propagated into a 50' wide slow moving slide that entrained all of the new snow. Tried to ski out of it, but lost both skis. Went for a ride for a couple hundred vert, but was able to stay on top sliding on my butt/back. Was wearing and ready to deploy an airbag, but didn't need to. The slide spread out and came to a gentle stop as the terrain flattened. I came away unharmed. A nearby group of three that witnessed the slide called over to make sure I was ok and no one else was involved, then kindly helped my fetch my skis, which fortunately ran downhill rather than getting buried. I alerted Alta staff and a few skiers starting their tour at the bottom. There was at least one other similar slide nearby by the time I got to the bottom.
![](https://suds.utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2021-22/BCF23EF7-FACF-4DA8-A576-B86CDA7857B0.jpeg?itok=p-Li7oi8)
![](https://suds.utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2021-22/243B6617-32BD-4861-8571-7AE13B1E720F.jpeg?itok=TQUHHJ1c)
![](https://suds.utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2021-22/F7FC197C-93FB-4B61-A43C-EA7E3D2E6111.jpeg?itok=BZcwpq2H)
![](https://suds.utahavalanchecenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/observation_image/public/images/avalanches/2021-22/3B42EBB9-1348-496F-873D-4A82DBEB8554.jpeg?itok=NXhXT2gI)
Coordinates