09-10

The weak layer on which the Saddle Peak avalanche (and others) slid was the same layer of facets we found in mid December following very cold weather at the start of December.  This layer was capped and protected by a very hard wind slab.

Mark Staples and Bridger Bowl Snow Safety investigate the avalanche crown on Saddle Peak.

This avalanche fractured through the rocks in the upper part of this photo propagating nearly a quarter mile across.  It created debris 20ft deep.  It also broke on deeply buried weak layers like the avalanche on Saddle.  These large avalanches are very destructive, and this one snapped large trees in half like the one in the photo. Photo - L. Rice

This was the powder cloud and the air blast as the avalanche roared down Saddle Peak.  Avalanches of this size can easily reach speeds of 100 mph. Photo - A. Swanson

Many areas sometimes considered "safe zones" were wiped out by this avalanche.  On a big peak like Saddle, very few areas are completely safe and we need to remember where this avalanche broke if we ski Saddle Peak in the future.  Photo by Patrick Orton

This avalanche was triggered by a piece of cornice that broke as someone approached the ridge.  He luckily was able to arrest his fall and not go with the cornice.  The slope fractured when the cornice hit one of the rock bands seen in the bed surface.  You can see the path of the cornice just right of the summit.  Photo by Patrick Orton