A snowmobiler was caught and partially buried in a large avalanche on the east face of Laurel Peak in Dark Canyon on Friday, surviving thanks to quick action by companions equipped with rescue gear.
The rider triggered the avalanche unintentionally while ascending the slope around 11,800 feet elevation. The slide was 700 feet wide and ran 1,250 vertical feet, with a fracture depth of 3 feet in places and more than 4 feet in others.
The victim was carried about 100 feet and ended up almost completely buried, with only his hands and head exposed. Three companions waiting below quickly dug him out. All members of the party were carrying proper rescue equipment. The victim was wearing an airbag but reported he was unable to reach the trigger.
Utah Avalanche Center forecasters Eric Trenbeath and Dave Garcia investigated the scene along with pro observer Chris Benson.
“The size and scale of this avalanche is arresting, particularly in light of how little snow we have had this season,” the forecasters wrote in their report. “We are very happy that it ended positively as it easily could have had a very different outcome.”
The avalanche danger rating for the day was moderate, with the forecast noting that northwest winds would create slabs of wind-drifted snow and that deeper avalanches involving a persistent weak layer remained possible on slopes facing northwest through east.
The La Sal Mountains have received only 36 inches of snow this season at the Gold Basin Study Plot. December saw no snowfall, causing the snowpack to weaken. A Christmas Day rain event up to 11,700 feet created a crust that, combined with recent storm snow and strong northwest winds, set up the conditions for the slide.
The incident occurred in high alpine terrain below Mount Laurel (12,270 feet), flanked by Mount Mellenthin and Mount Peale — the three highest peaks in the La Sal range.
Forecasters urge riders to carry rescue gear and check daily forecasts before entering steep terrain. Check the Moab forecast here.
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