Skier Triggered Avalanche - Football Field

Saddle Peak
Bridger Range
Code
SS-ASu-R3-D2.5-O
Elevation
8700
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.79740
Longitude
-110.93500
Notes

A solo skier was doing an annual run from the M to Bridger Bowl but could not enter the resort as normal due to limited terrain openings etc. The skier read the avalanche advisory on the 24th but not on the 25th, the day of the traverse. The skier observed recent avalanches on Bridger Peak and in Argentina Bowl, immediately south of Saddle Peak. He did not observe other signs of instability or dig pits but mentioned that travel was generally on non-snow-covered ground. Arriving at the ski area boundary, he was concerned about the avalanche danger and decent route but decided that going down the Bitter End run at the Bridger Bowl Boundary and getting on to the lower angle prow on the ski area boundary would be the best option. He made jump turns down to the steep convexity 50’ below the ridge. The slope cracked at his feet and the avalanche initiated 20’ away.

The avalanche propagated at least 500’ wide into the Football Field adjacent to Bridger Bowl's south boundary, and ran down below the cliff band mid-slope. The avalanche was 2’ deep and was a hard slab slab failed on depth depth hoar ASu-R3-D2.5-O). The skier descended the track track looked for any recent ski or skin tracks that would indicate other skiers in the area. Seeing no recent tracks, the skier went to Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol to report the incident.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Number killed
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
3
D size
2.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
1200ft
Slab Width
500.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Depth Hoar
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year