USDA Forest Service

Forest Service Intermountain Region

in partnership with:

Friends of the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center NOAA National Weather Service

Utah Department of Public Safety Utah State University

Salt Lake County Utah State Parks and Recreation

National Forest Foundation

Utah

Avalanche

Forecast

Center

Annual Report

1997-98

Snow & Avalanches

in Utah
Authors:

Bruce Tremper

Tom Kimbrough

Evelyn Lees

Mike Jenkins

Faerthen Felix

The Utah Avalanche Forecast Center is a Forest Service program under the Intermountain

Region Office and the Manti-La Sal National Forest, in partnership with the

Friends of the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center

Utah Department of Public Safety Division of Comprehensive Emergency Management

Salt Lake County, Cache County

National Weather Service and

Utah State University

Utah State Parks and Recreation

National Forest Foundation

Copies of this report can be obtained by writing or calling:

Utah Avalanche Forecast Center

2242 West North Temple

Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

(801) 524-5304

Cover photos:

Bruce Tremper
Table of Contents

Utah Avalanche Forecast Center - An Overview ................................... 1

Nuts And Bolts ......................................................................................... 7

Season Highlights ................................................................................... 9

Season History - Northern Utah ............................................................. 11

Season History - Logan Area Mountains .............................................. 16

Season History - La Sal Mountains ....................................................... 17

Avalanche Incidents and Accidents ...................................................... 20

Avalanche Education .............................................................................. 22

Media ........................................................................................................ 24

Observer Program ................................................................................... 27

Budget ...................................................................................................... 28

Appendix .................................................................................................. 33

Tables .............................................................................................. 33

Example of an Avalanche Bulletin ................................................ 40

Example of Mountain Weather Forecasts .................................... 41

Media Articles ................................................................................. 43
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

1

The Utah Avalanche Forecast Center

An overview

Our goal:

Help keep people on top of the Greatest Snow on Earth instead of buried beneath it.

Where do avalanche accidents occur?

Ninety eight percent of all avalanche fatalities occur in the backcountry—areas outside of

ski area boundaries where no avalanche control is done. Ski areas and highway avalanche

control crews routinely knock down avalanches with explosives before the public arrives each

morning. They have done their jobs so well that they have almost completely eliminated avalanche deaths at ski areas and on highways. Since 1980, less than one percent of avalanche

fatalities have involved general public on open runs at ski areas or on open highways.

What kind of people get caught in avalanches?

Ninety two percent of people killed in avalanches since 1985 have been recreationists, and

they are almost always very skilled in their sport. In almost all cases their skill in their sport significantly outpaces their avalanche skills. Looking at the most recent 5 years of national data, nearly

twice as many snowmobilers have been killed as any other user group, followed by climbers,

backcountry skiers, snowboarders and miscellaneous recreationists such as hikers and

snowshoers (see charts on page 4).

How do people get caught?

In over 95 percent of avalanche fatalities, the avalanche was triggered by the victim or

someone in the victim’s party. As Pogo says, “We have met the enemy and it is us.” Which is

actually good, because it means that, 95 percent of the time, we can avoid avalanche accidents

through our route finding and snow stability decisions.

In summary, avalanche fatalities occur almost exclusively in the backcountry, almost always

involve recreationists, and almost all avalanche incidents can be avoided if we choose.

How we help solve the problem:

We give backcountry travelers the weapon of knowledge. In order to avoid triggering

avalanches, backcountry travelers need:

Critical, up-to-date avalanche information.

We issue twice-daily recorded avalanche bulletins that give the public important avalanche

information they need to make their life-and-death decisions in avalanche terrain. And we also

forecast snow stability and weather trends into the future. Our information helps the public to

decide what kind of terrain is safe, what kind is dangerous and we give them useful clues to look

for when they venture into avalanche terrain.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

2

We provide information on current avalanche conditions primarily through our avalanche

bulletins. People access these by:

w Recorded message updated twice each day

w Live interviews each day on two different public radio stations

w The Internet

w Faxes sent out each morning to businesses and Forest Service offices

w In times of extreme or unusual avalanche conditions, we issue an avalanche warning that

reaches all the broadcast and print media as well as NOAA weather radio.

Finally, we “preach the avalanche gospel” as much as possible to the local, national and

international media. This season, for instance, several documentaries played on national television including National Geographic and several on the Discovery Channel and PBS. Program

Director, Bruce Tremper was featured in all these documentaries, and in the fall of 1998, Carol

Ciliberti will be featured in an avalanche documentary on the Discovery Channel.

Avalanche education:

We teach about 25 free, basic avalanche awareness classes each season. These not only

give the public an overview of the avalanche problem, but also some basic avalanche skills.

These classes encourage them to take a more involved avalanche class offered by the private

sector.

Our Philosophy:

Just because people hear the information doesn’t mean they listen. Even good information,

if presented in a boring way, wastes the taxpayer’s money because no one will remember it.

Therefore, we make the bulletins entertaining so that people will remember what they hear and

enjoy the experience enough to use the bulletins regularly.

We try and use all the standard tools of effective writing and speaking such as using active

voice, first person, examples and stories to illustrate points, humor where appropriate and reading

the bulletins in a natural voice, like talking to a friend. The recorded bulletins are informal, chatty

and funny, yet informative. It also makes our work fun.

We believe local forecasters do a much better job than distant forecasters.

Local people know local conditions better. They’re out in it every day, they see it from their

window and they talk with people on the street about it. Because of this, we believe that local

people should issue avalanche bulletins for local areas, as long as they have the avalanche skills

to do so. For this reason, three crews of avalanche forecasters operate in Utah, one in Logan,

another in Salt Lake City and a third in Moab. If there were enough money, we would split the

geography up into even finer sections.

We believe in a strong field-based program.

Avalanche forecasting is more of an art than a science. And because of this, computers

never have, and most likely never will, be able to forecast avalanche hazard as well as an experienced and skilled human being. Avalanche forecasting works best when the person putting out

the forecast has an intimate, daily connection to the snowpack. We notice that the longer we
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

3

spend in an office, the more out of touch with the snowpack we become. Therefore we always put

in one or more field days before our forecasting shift, and we never have more than two forecast

days in a row.

This is our philosophy and it seems to be working. More people call the UAFC bulletin

each season than any other avalanche bulletin in North America, and the number keep increasing

by an average of 20 percent per year. The numbers of people going into the backcountry keep

increasing exponentially, yet the death rate has risen more slowly. We also see an increasing

demand for avalanche education and information, not only by Utahns, but by the national an

international media.

We are very passionate about our work because it’s more than a job, it saves lives.

World Avalanche Fatalities 1976-97

125

153

185

148

133

153

138

149

174

224

204

123

150

78

100

192

99

146

110

140

170

146

0

50

100

150

200

250

76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97

Winter

Number of Fatalities

Worldwide avalanche fatalities have remained fairly steady since 1976, yet as we see on the following

pages, avalanche fatalities in the U.S. continue to dramatically increase. The difference may lie in the fact

that the federal government in European countries spend many millions of dollars to combat avalanche

deaths while in the U.S. the federal government spends only around 230,000 dollars.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

4

Avalanche fatalities in Utah as well as nationally continue to rise. We expect that recreation on Forest Servic

lands will continue to grow--and grow dramaticlly--as more people move to the West and equipment

continues to improve. Therefore, avalanche deaths will most likely continue to rise. Public avalanche

U.S. Avalanche Fatalities 1950-98

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

W inter

Number of Fatalities

5-Year Moving Average 

Avalanche Fatalities in Utah 1951-98

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

W inter

Number of Fatalities

5-Year Moving Average
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

5

In the past 5 years, we see that snowmobilers lead the list for avalanche fatalities in the U.S. This is a recent

phenomenon; more than 5 years ago, backcountry skiers led the list. Dramatic advances in the power,

weight and traction of snowmobiles now allow them to easily access dangerous avalanche terrain right after a

storm. Also, snowmobiles can cover 100 times the amout of terrain a skier can in a day. Finally, very few

snowmobilers carry basic avalanche rescue gear or have taken a basic avalanche awareness class.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Number of Fatalities

Snowmobilers

Climbers

Backountry Skiers

Snowboarders

Misc. Recreation

Residents

Worker

Patrollers

Motorist

U.S. Avalanche Fatalities by User Group 

 1993-98

U.S. Snowmobile Avalanche Fatalities by Year 

1968-98

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 89 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

Winter

Number of Fatalities

5-Year Moving Average 
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

6

Avalanche deaths don’t just happen somewhere else. Utah runs neck-and-neck with Alaska for second place

behind Colorado in avalanche deaths in the U.S. And the U.S. also ranks neck-and-neck with Austria for

second place country worldwide, second only to France.

Avalanche Fatalities by State 1991-1998

Colorado

Alaska

Utah

Montana

Wyoming

Idaho Washington

Avalanche Fatalities by Country - 1992-97

France

Austria

U.S.A.

Switzerland

Italy

Canada

Norway

Spain

Germany
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

7

Nuts and Bolts

The UAFC is operationally separated into three entities: the Logan area mountains, the La

Sal Mountains near Moab and the Wasatch Mountains near the cities of Salt Lake, Ogden, Park

City and Provo.

Mike Jenkins, Kevin Kobe and Bruce Engelhard record the avalanche bulletins in the

Logan area mountains on weekends and each Wednesday and the Salt Lake-based staff record

the Logan bulletin on the remaining days. Mike Jenkins has taught a quarter-long avalanche class

for Utah State University for a number of years and he has organized a fine consortium of local

volunteers, graduate students and workers. Their office is located at Utah State University in the

Department of Forest Resources.

In Moab, Faerthen Felix has done an outstanding job in her first year. As the only full time

staff for the La Sal Mountains, she has her work cut out for her. The Moab office is located in the

Moab Ranger District on the Manti-Lasal National Forest.

Last, but not least, the majority of the backcountry use occurs in the Wasatch Range of

northern Utah. A staff of seven full time workers cover the Ogden, Salt Lake City, Park City and

Provo area mountains—arguably the most heavily used mountain range in the U.S. Bruce

Tremper in his 12th season heads the operation along with a very experienced staff: Tom

Kimbrough, Evelyn Lees, Seth Shaw and Carol Ciliberti. Keith Clappier was contracted as a fulltime information assistant in the office and the non-profit group, Friends of the Utah Avalanche

Forecast Center contract the intrepid Bob Athey as a full time backcountry observer. The Salt

Lake office is co-located with the National Weather Service at the Salt Lake International Airport.

Although Bruce Tremper spends most of his time in the Wasatch operation, he oversees all

three operations to insure consistency in quality.

The Utah Avalanche Forecast Center is a Forest Service program under the Intermountain

Region and the Manti-La Sal National Forest, in partnershp with Utah State University, the State of

Utah Department of Public Safety, Devision of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, the

National Weather Service and private contributions through the Friends of the Utah Avalanche

Forecast Center.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

8

The public can access the bulletins in the following ways:

Telephone:

Salt Lake City - 3-minute bulletin (20 phone lines) (801) 364-1581

Salt Lake City - 6-minute bulletin (4 phone lines) (801) 364-1591

Logan (multi-line PBX system at Utah State University) (435) 797-4146

Park City (multi-line PBX system at Park City Resort) (435) 658-5512

Ogden (multi-line PBX system at Weber State University) (801) 626-8600

Provo (multi-line PBX system at Brigham Young University) (435) 378-4333

Alta (multi-line PBX system through the Town of Alta) (801) 742-0830

Moab (single phone line) (435) 259-7669

Radio Stations (live on-air reports each morning around 8:00 am)

KRCL 91 FM

KPCW 92 FM

Internet:

http://www.avalanche.org

Fax:

We operate an automated fax distribution of the bulletin for selected businesses and Forest

Service offices that post a hard copy for the public to read.

To contact our office: (801) 524-5304 (phone)

(801) 524-4030 (fax)

e-mail: uafc@wasatch.com
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

9

Season Highlights

n Three people died in avalanches during the winter of 1997-98, two snowmobilers and one

hiker. We do not know for sure if an avalanche killed the hiker. He was a 19-year-old

Weber State student who went for a hike in the mountains near campus during a high

hazard time. He was missing all winter and melted out in spring in avalanche terrain with

some injuries. We will presume he is an avalanche fatality.

n 96 people unintentionally triggered avalanches, 57 were caught, 17 partially buried, 8

totally buried, 7 injured and 3 killed. These numbers include primarily backcountry incidents and only selected important incidents inside of ski area boundaries. These numbers

do not include intentionally triggered avalanches or minor incidents in which professional

avalanche workers were caught.

n Property damage included several cars damaged on highways and in parking lots in Little

Cottonwood Canyon and one controlled avalanche that caused major damage to the east

wing of the Peruvian Lodge at Alta.

n Utah finished the season with slightly above average snowfall and warmer than average

temperatures. Other than a huge avalanche cycle in January, the snowpack remained

relatively stable throughout the season and snow conditions were quite good for skiing,

snowboarding and snowmobiling.

n The public called the recorded avalanche bulletins 125,000 times this past season. This

averages about 700 calls per day and as many as 2,000 call on busy days. More people

call the UAFC bulletin than any other avalanche bulletin in North America. This number is

down very slightly from last season because it was a less dangerous year and very little

snow fell in the valleys—which especially makes people think about avalanches. But

looking at the call rate since 1980, we see an average increase of 10-20 percent per year

(see chart).

n About twice as many people accessed the UAFC bulletin via the Internet than over the

phone lines. The avalanche bulletin averaged an estimated 1200 hits per day and the

mountain weather forecast received about the same amount. This adds up to around

400,000 combined hits per year for both the avalanche bulletin and the mountain weather

forecast.

n Once again, the UAFC was prominently featured in both local and national media. We

were interviewed for two different national television documentaries, we had seven national

TV telephone contacts, five national print media interviews, nineteen on-camera interviews

by local television, twenty seven local print media interviews and six local radio interviews.

The National Geographic documentary on avalanches, which features UAFC Director,

Bruce Tremper, continued to air this season.

n We taught 45 avalanche classes which involved 2560 people. This includes 40 avalanche

awareness talks, three multi-day avalanche classes and a quarter-long university course.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

10

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

Number of Calls

7779818385878991939597

Winter

Yearly Calls by Area

Alta

Moab

Park City

Provo

Ogden

Logan

Salt Lake

Calls to the UAFC recorded avalanche bulletin have increased by 10-20 percent each year since we started in

the late 70’s. More people call the UAFC bulletin than any other avalanche bulletin in North America. The

Salt Lake City area accounts for the vast majority of the calls (85%). These numbers do not reflect calls to

our bulletin via the 1-800 snowmobile avalanche number operated by Utah State Parks, because they can not

count the calls on their system. Call numbers for some of the areas outside of Salt Lake City likewise can not

be counted, but are conservatively estimated here based on reliable counts from previous years.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

11

Season History 1997 - 98

El Nino

Much hype regarding the El Nino, long range forecasts preceded the first winter snows by

several months. Unfortunately, El Nino was widely misunderstood by the media, and consequently

by the public. The media’s simplistic reporting never seemed to grasp that the effects of El Nino

varied dramatically depending on which part of the country you were talking about. In a typical El

Nino year, the northern U.S. is usually dry, the California coast and the southern U.S. is usually

wet and northern Utah is usually left somewhere in the middle. That fact seems easy enough to

explain, but the popular media almost never mentioned it, and consequently the public ended up

with all kinds of crazy ideas.

Depending on which article you read on which day, the winter could be wet or dry, warm or

cold, good or catastrophic. Of course all of these predictions were correct, but it depended on

which part of the country you were talking about. The “good versus bad” viewpoint could also vary

according to your orientation. Is your interest winter sports or growing cotton?

In hindsight, we were impressed by how well the predictions turned out—that is the National Weather Service predictions, not the media spin. The forecast for northern Utah was for a

split-flow pattern with an active southern storm track resulting in a dry early season with a wet

spring, finishing with an above average, but not record, snow pack. And that’s exactly what happened.

October

October snow at Alta totaled 64 inches with only about a foot on the ground at the end of

the month on the Guard Station stake. The couple of decent storms brought out the usual early

season madness as people were unable to wait for the resorts to open, yet still behaved as if the

ski patrol did avalanche control each morning. Despite the usual number of close calls, no serious

incidents occurred.

November

Close calls at Tony Grove and also on Mt. Superior

November continued the dry trend with no major storms. But despite the lack of new snow,

the weak snowpack resulted in several incidents. In a very close call, two snowboarders in the

Logan area mountains hiked up into the Tony Grove area to build a jump. They triggered a large

slide that buried one man to his neck and completely buried his wife. He was able to dig himself

out and then he heard his wife yelling and dug her out from under 4 feet of snow. Neither of them

had avalanche rescue beacons.

Later in the month two people triggered and were caught in a slide on a steep, northeast

facing chute on Mt. Superior in upper Little Cottonwood. The slide was a couple of feet deep, and

took one of the people on an 800' ride over a couple of cliff bands. Both people were extremely

lucky to escape without serious injury, considering the size of the slide and the extreme terrain.

The month had a total snowfall of 46 inches in Little Cottonwood. Total depth at the Alta

Guard Station was close to 30 inches.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

12

December

Finally a big storm arrived at the end of the first week of December. Alta recorded a storm

total of about 5 feet in less than three days. We expected a major slide cycle, but while there were

plenty of avalanches, instabilities were not as widespread as anticipated. This lack of activity may

have been due to the light density snow and cold temperatures inhibiting the formation of a consolidated slab on many slopes. Once the new snow settled out there was excellent backcountry

skiing and snowboarding all over the range on moderate angle slopes.

The rest of December quieted down, back in the dry, split flow. Most of the 81 inches at the

Alta Guard Station fell on December eighth and ninth.

January - and the huge avalanche cycle

January started out slowly, then quickly turned into a wild month of big storms and big

avalanches. The precipitation for Utah statewide ended up being above, to well above, normal

thanks to the very wet period between the 9th and the 20th. The Alta Guard Station ended the

month with a total of 128.9 inches of snow with 13.05 inches of water; close to 100 inches of that

snow came down during the mid-month stormy period. Most mountain locations in the Wasatch

received as much as 120 to 160 percent of normal snowfall for the month.

Avalanche danger began to increase during the first week as a couple of small storms rolled

in, but the action really picked up on the weekend of January 10 and 11. We issued an avalanche

warning on the 11th and because of the continuing storm, it remained in effect for the next ten

days. The problem was that a dry early season produced a shallow snowpack, with a layer of very

weak faceted snow near the ground. During the months of November and December we repeatedly warned our listening public that as soon as we got snow, the avalanche activity would be

immediate, widespread and deadly. As predicted, plenty of avalanches occurred on the 11th,

including numerous natural slides several feet deep plus lots of slides from control work at the

resorts.

The Dave Anderson / Life Flight Helicopter Tragedy

During the late afternoon of Sunday, January 11 we had the first serious avalanche accident of the storm cycle. Experienced backcountry skiers on the sub-ridge between White Pine

and Red Pine Canyons (thus called Pink Pine) in Little Cottonwood were taking their last run down

a steep west facing slope. The second skier, Dave Anderson, triggered a slide only about a foot

deep and 50 feet wide, and it picked up speed very quickly on the slippery underlying bed surface.

He sustained serious leg injuries as the slide carried him through trees, but was not buried in the

debris. After a long, arduous rescue, friends and rescue workers were able to get him down to the

road about 6 hours after the accident took place. Tragedy struck when the rescue helicopter

crashed as they tried to fly down canyon in a violent blizzard. All four people on the helicopter

were killed—the avalanche victim, the pilot, a paramedic and a nurse. It was a major tragedy that

left Salt Lake City reeling. The skier, Dave Anderson, was a good friend to all of us at the Avalanche Forecast Center and was a central and much-loved member of the local skiing and climbing community. He is missed by all of us.

Very close call at Solitude

The next day a Big Cottonwood ski patroller was caught in an avalanche during control

work. A section of unbroken snow between two previous shot placements released as he did a ski

cut. He went for a long ride through trees and cliff bands, and ended up completely buried when

the debris came to a stop. His partner was able to find him within minutes. He was not breathing
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

13

and they did CPR on him as they transported him to a waiting helicopter at the base. Miraculously,

he began breathing on his own after they reached the helicopter and he recovered with no ill

effects.

More close calls at Powder Mountain

Things were also quite active in the Ogden Mountains, with a couple of natural slides 4-6'

deep near Powder Mountain and 4' deep slides released with explosives at Snowbasin. Powder

Mountain also reported a couple of human triggered slides. In one case a snowboarder triggered

and was completely buried and was rescued by passing motorists. Three skiers also triggered a

slide on a north facing slope, one of whom rode the slide 300' and injured a shoulder. They were

fortunate to escape without more serious injuries.

Precipitation rates increased again on Tuesday, tipping the balance on many slopes. The

spontaneous activity in the backcountry probably peaked during the day on the 13th. At a Park

City ski resort an avalanche worker was caught and completely buried by a slide while ski cutting a

slope he had just bombed. He was quickly located by beacon searching, and was dug out with no

injuries.

Periods of snow continued through the week. Towards the end of the week the more

stable snowpack of Little Cottonwood had all the load it could take and began producing huge

avalanches. One of these ripped through part of the Peruvian Lodge on the 16th but no one was

injured. The avalanche cycle affected nearly the entire western U.S. including all of Utah.

Close call with 12 Boy Scouts

About three miles from Elk Meadows, a group of 12 Boy Scouts triggered a slide that partially

buried eight of them and completely buried four. Miraculously, even though they were not wearing

beacons, they were able to locate everyone and get them out in time.

Two snowmobile fatalities

By this time the avalanche warning had been extended to include the central and southwest

mountains of Utah and the Wasatch Plateau. But it was the weekend, and lots of people were out

enjoying all the new snow. Seven snowmobilers were killed in five separate avalanches that

weekend in the western U.S., two of which were in Utah. The first Utah fataility occured on the

17th near Coalville on the flanks of the Uinta Mountains. Damon Vernon, 21was buried around

3:00 pm. His four companions found him, dug him out and could not revive him. The second

snowmobiler fatality occured on the 18th on the Wasatch Plateau near Mt. Pleasant in central

Utah. David Dyches and several friends were riding when they triggered the slide at 5:00 pm.

Search dogs recovered him under 5 feet of snow aroung 9:30 pm but rescuers could not revive

him.

Neither of these riders had avalanche beacons. Both of these fatalities occurred either on the

fringe or outside our forecast area. They parallel the recent trends in avalanche fatalities in the

U.S. Most involve snowmobilers in very rural areas that lack avalanche information services. This

underscores the need for additional funding to expand services into more rural areas.

As the storms tapered off the avalanche warning was finally dropped on January 20.

Smaller amounts of new snow on the now excellent cover produced what we called “astoundingly

good” winter sports conditions by the end of the month.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

14

February

February was a warm and snowy month, with record precipitation both in the Salt Lake

Valley and in Little Cottonwood Canyon. In fact, this was the wettest February ever in the Salt

Lake area, and the 3rd wettest month ever. The National Weather Service recorded 4.89" of water

at the airport which is am impressive 398% of normal. Both Snowbird and Alta also received

record monthly snowfall, with Alta measuring 157 inches of snow at 158% of normal. At Sundance

in the Provo area the mountains received 72 inches of snow with an average density of 8%.

Snowbasin received a monthly total of 89" with an average density of about 7%. Park City Resort

received 83" for the month with about 6.3 inches of water. An intense stormy period near the end

of the month dropped 1-2 feet of snow in the valley, and closed the Salt Lake airport for 9 hours.

In spite of frequent mountain storms, avalanche hazard remained quite tame with low to moderate

ratings 9 days out of the month, and only 3 days of high hazard. The huge January avalanches

cleaned out most of the underlying weak snow and the large amounts of snow in February fell on

a stable base.

There were only a couple of avalanche incidents. On February 3 a backcountry skier in

upper Day’s Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon triggered a hard wind slab on a steep east facing

slope. He was traversing through a gully when the slide pulled out 1-4 feet deep and about 50

yards wide. He rode the slide down 1,000' of vertical and was lucky to escape with only a wrist

injury.

Weber State University student presumed killed in an avalanche

On February 26, David Ebberhard, a 19-year-old student at Weber State University failed to

return after taking a walk alone in the mountains behind campus, and a subsequent search failed

to locate him. In early May, his body melted out of the snow in an avalanche path behind Weber

State University. He did have some injuries and we may never know if this was an avalanche

fatality or not. But it was a high danger of avalanches on the day he disappeared, so we will call

this an avalanche fatality unless subsequent evidence indicates otherwise.

Also on February 26th, an avalanche hit two cars on the Little Cottonwood road and caused

minor injuries.

Despite this, backcountry traveling conditions were excellent and mostly safe for most of the

month.

March

March was a month of weather contrasts. Stormy weather prevailed over the mountains

the first and last weeks of the month, with a long dry spell in between. The Salt Lake Valley was

unusually cool and wet, with over 150% of normal precipitation for the month. The mountains

received close to normal precipitation. The Alta Guard Station reported a monthly snowfall total of

92 inches, 98% of normal.

A couple of fast moving storms produced plenty of backcountry avalanches in the new

snow around the end of the first week of the month but dry and warmer conditions began for the

second week, that is a little too warm. A major wet slide cycle developed surprisingly quickly on

the weekend of March 14 and 15. A bus and several cars were hit on the afternoon of March 14 in

Little Cottonwood. Several people were buried and one person was seriously injured.

After another small but cold storm on March 17 the heat wave returned full force. Another

wet cycle started moving after several days with nighttime lows above freezing at 8,000 feet. The

entire snowpack became wet mush, even on upper elevation northerly slopes. Finally on the 26th

temperatures dropped into the 20’s, re-freezing the pack and relieving the minds of local ava-
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

15

lanche forecasters.

Winter returned for the last week of March bringing Little Cottonwood 50 more inches and

once again, excellent turning conditions.

April

The El Nino long range forecast of a wet spring verified well during the first half of April.

We went nearly two weeks with at least a trace of precipitation at Alta. Although there were no

blockbuster storms, a never-ending series of troughs marched into Utah, putting down a lavish

supply of fresh powder.

Several experienced people triggered avalanches during the second week of the month but

there were no injuries. Skiing and boarding conditions were quite winter-like, at least at the higher

elevations. Below about 8,000 feet however, spring temperatures had their effect on the snow

and sunny slopes crusted whenever skies cleared.

Finally, more typically spring weather arrived for the third week and with only a few people

still interested in winter sports we issued the end of season bulletin on April 20. But even though

we had to end our forecasts for the season, it certainly wasn’t the end of the avalanche season.

Strong El Nino years such as this typically delay the wet slide avalanche cycles because it continues to stay wet and cool, and when the inevitable warm up comes it comes with a vengeance.

Large wet-slide cycle in late spring

With very warm temperatures in the last week of April, a widespread, deep wet slab avalanche cycle took place throughout most of Utah. Very large and sometimes destructive avalanches began breaking down to the old faceted snow near the ground. The Cottonwood Canyons escaped most, but not all, of the activity because it had a deeper and more stable snowpack.

Luckily, the snow was so mucky that few people were out to see it and consequently no one was

killed.

But there was a very close call. Two hikers, apparently oblivious of the danger, decided to

hike up Bridal Veil Falls, perhaps Utah’s most notorious avalanche path, on the hottest day of the

warm spell. One was swept down and injured. A medical helicopter decided it was too risky to

land for a rescue but a smaller television helicopter was able to land and rescue the injured hiker.

We ended up with three avalanche fatalities for Utah this season.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

16

Season History - Logan Area Mountains

by

Mike Jenkins

Yes, it was a “normal” winter in the northern Wasatch, Bear River, Portneuf and Preuss

Ranges of northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, at least as far as total snow depth and snow

water equivalent. But from the perspective of avalanches, “100% of normal snowfall” doesn’t

mean very much. This winter, the snow was slow to come and snow cover, especially at lower

elevations was marginal for over-snow travel until well into January. In fact the snow pack created

by a few early storms in November was decreasing in depth throughout much of December and

added up to only a measly 30 inches on January 4 when a series of large storms finally arrived.

Conversely, when we ended our season of advisories in April, the snow was still accumulating.

Even as I write this in mid May snow continues to fall at high elevations and the coverage is better

now than during most of November and December.

Early Season

Two snowboarders buried

The shallow snow pack of early November quickly turned into weak facets by the cold temperatures of early winter. Four days of moderate snow added about 24" on top of the depth hoar

and, predictably, a human triggered avalanche occurred. The incident occurred near Tony Grove

Lake, a popular early and late season area for skiers, boarders and snowmobilers alike. The

incident involved two snowboarders, husband and wife, who triggered a slide while post holing up

a slope to construct a kicker for jumping.

They triggered the avalanche while on a shallow slope of 15-20 degrees below a steep wind

loaded gully. The man was ahead of the woman when the slide released above them. They tried

to run, but could not, although the man was able to jump on his board to ride as if on a snurfer. He

was knocked over and buried to his neck, but able to dig himself out. His wife was totally buried

below him and he did not have an exact last seen area. After looking for a brief time he heard her

voice and dug down to her with his shovel. She was facing down hill in an upright position and her

head was 4 feet below the snow surface. She was uninjured after having been buried for only a

few minutes.

Given the four fatalities of last season, having a complete burial before Thanksgiving of this

winter was a bad omen. Fortunately no fatalities or serious injuries occurred this winter. Between

Thanksgiving and Christmas only about 28 inches of new snow fell at our Beaver Mt. study plot.

Total snowpack depth on New Year’s Day was a mere 26 inches, composed mostly of facets.

Concern over the faceted snowpack structure heightened when big storms arrived on a warm

southwest flow beginning on January 3. Between the 3rd and 19th of January we received 94",

nearly 8 feet of new snow in a series of storms that added new snow almost daily. Not surprisingly

numerous natural avalanches occurred, many to the ground, on the deep layer of facets. Many

well-known avalanche paths slid including Wood Camp, Beirdneau Peak, Garden City Canyon, Mt.

Elmer, Chicken Hill and others.

From a snow safety perspective the new snow came in a way that minimized the potential for

human-triggered slides; the snow was just too deep for trailbreaking, even for snowmobilers, and it

kept people out of the backcountry. And best of all, the heavy new snow made almost all the

avalanche paths slide, cleaning out the problem for the future. During the cycle we had many

reports of avalanches in the more easily accessible Salt Lake area mountains, but in the Logan

area people couldn’t get out to see the avalanches until some days later when the skies cleared
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

17

and people finally were able to break trails into the mountains. Debris from large avalanches that

occurred during this cycle was observed for days afterward as travelers explored more remote

terrain. Even on a corn day in March I traveled over old debris in Deep Canyon of the Wellsville

Mountains that appeared to have been deposited during the January cycle. Ultimately the cycle

was a blessing. Not only did we get a much needed base but the large paths were cleaned out.

We worried about deep slab instability for several weeks, but remaining facets were so deeply

buried that no further large slides occurred.

Mid Season

For the remainder of January, and well into February only small storms, none depositing more

than 6" affected our mountains. Several avalanches were reported during this period including the

second in Wood Camp, White Pine Knob and at Pebble Creek in Idaho. These were all wind

slabs caused by a period of high winds with gusts above 50 mph recorded on Logan Peak. During

this period total snow depth at our study plot decreased from the mid January high of 87" to 71" on

February 20.

Between February 21 and March 8, a series of colder, northwest storms deposited 59 inches

of new snow bringing total snow depth to a season high of 90". A number of natural avalanches

occured during the period, including the third in Wood Camp. In the middle of March temperatures

rose to near 40 dissected by a cold snap around the 20th. For most of March mountain top temperatures remained above freezing. Wet slides occurred again in Wood Camp and also in

Beirdneau Hollow and several other north facing chutes in Logan Canyon. Near the end of March

and into April as we brought our season to an end, but snow has continued into May at the highest

elevations.

In summary the winter of 1997-98 was just another “normal winter”.

Season History - La Sal Mountains

by Faerthen Felix

October

Several substantial storms in October left us pockets of rotten snow at higher elevations

anywhere that the wind and sun didn’t strip it away. This layer created moderate to considerable

instability as snow began to accumulate later in the season, mostly on steep, wind-affected areas

near treeline.

November

The month was dryer than the wet summer and fall predicted, with skiing conditions consistently thin and rife with land-mines. Occasional turns could be found by sticking to very low angle,

grassy slopes with speedy recrystallized snow, but most recreationists wisely played it safe and

stayed on the well-covered roads and trails. The month’s one good storm ended on the 27th and

brought us 8" of 7-9% snow at the GPTH with very little associated instability.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

18

December

During the first week of December, we received 3" of snow and I began to see the season’s

first slab releases. These were on wind-loaded and rotten northerly aspects and were very

pockety in nature. It appeared that sluffing snow and graupel from steep rock bands above had

loaded these areas and played a factor in magnifying the stress of what seemed to be a very small

increase in snowpack weight. So much for the “6”-and-wind” rule; like the man—Ron Perla—said,

“the only rule of thumb is that there are no rules of thumb”.

 A big storm that ended on the 9th brought us 20.5" of snow and allowed backcountry

skiing to begin in earnest. This storm was associated with widespread avalanche activity that

included areas not ordinarily given to avalanching, like the Corkscrew Glades. Not surprisingly, big

facets in the old snow were to blame and many of the slides ran full path and/or to the ground.

 8" fell in time for the Christmas holidays, but a split jetstream weather pattern kept the

month a little dry.

January

Long periods between snowfalls allowed the snowpack to recrystallize and rot, resulting in

unsupportable base conditions in many areas. Good turning could be found by the determined,

but most locals abdicated, leaving the skiing to less picky out-of-towners.

 The month showed weather patterns typical for this area. The storms that pounded the

Wasatch mountains slid just north of us, leaving small snow accumulations in their wake. The

month’s biggest snowfall came on the 5th, bringing us 8" of light snow which triggered extensive

avalanche activity during the storm. By the next day it was all over, with no sensitive pockets to be

found. The weakness was depth hoar, with many of these slides running to the ground.

February

The month came in wet, with one small storm after another leaving us 2 or 3 inches at a time

for a total accumulation of 10" by the end of the first week of February. The warm SW flow responsible for the precipitation brought the snow in heavy and out light, but the short break between

impulses—along with our usual winds—allowed hard wind slab to form on top of light density new

snow. The gradual snow accumulation meant that these slabs did not release naturally but hung in

place, waiting for a hapless trigger to wander by. This cycle brought us our most devious and

dangerous avalanche conditions of the season, but the only observed or reported avalanches

were triggered (quite easily) by the Forecaster.

 This stormy pattern continued throughout the month. Avalanche hazard seldom dropped

below considerable as the monthly snowfall total inched higher and the customary LaSal winds

worked their sorcery. On the 14th, the weak snowpack began to fail, leaving crown fractures that

stretched across the entire Middle Cirque of Gold Basin as well as many other smaller slides. The

weaknesses were buried light density snow and large facets. Lousy weather guaranteed that

noone was in harm’s way.

 The month’s largest single storm left us 10" on the 23rd and triggered a few large natural

avalanches that were difficult to spot after the clouds lifted and winds died—seemingly the rule

rather than the exception, here.

 The total monthly snowfall reached 38" before the sun broke through on the 28th—finally

climbing high enough into the sky to bring heat to the frigid desert air for the first time this season.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

19

March

March came in like a lamb. 3 days of spectacular, warm sun was greatly appreciated by the

bold and hardy few who skipped the back-yard barbecue to get some turns and a ski tan. Mountain temperatures climbed above freezing, settling and soothing our wretched snowpack, but

crusting all exposed slopes.

 Snow continued to accumulate, with 2" on the 3rd, and another 8" on the 6th pushing the

corn-snow season back. The temperatures began to climb around the 10th, and the arrival of 70

degrees in the valley triggered the annual Moab invasion of sun-seekers.

 Just as spring-conditions seemed well-established, an unforeseen freak storm on the 17th

brought 18" of cold, light density snow to the Geyser Pass Trail Head. Falling on a warm old-snow

surface, the new snow stuck like a limpet on a smooth rock. No slab avalanching was observed

during or shortly after the storm, but the sneaky, steep temperature gradient quickly eroded the

bond. The hazard climbed to considerable on the 19th and a few short-running natural soft slab

releases were seen.

 A storm cycle that began on the 26th wrecked the developing corn-snow conditions with

13" of new snow that accumulated a little at a time. Warm temperatures guaranteed that shady,

high evergreens were the only escape from sticky glop and “Jack LaLane” touring conditions

(“...And now, 15 lb. weighted-leg lifts—left, right, left, right...).

 The month went out like a lion.

April

Cold temperatures and a 16" fluffy dump heralded the start of April. This was good news for

the snowpack, which had become soggy and wet during mid-March’s warm sunny weather. Weak

faceted crystals persisted near the ground, however, giving pause to those considering steep

descents.

 As the annual piggy-bank reached empty and the Center closed down for the season on

April 6, spring snow conditions seemed well-established. Late spring snow continues to accumulate, however, ensuring excellent coverage and skiing conditions well into May and probably later.

 There were no avalanche-related injuries or fatalities in the LaSal Mountains during the

1997-8 season. A snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche on the Wasatch Plateau section of the

Manti-LaSal National Forest near Price, however (see accident description in the UAFC annual

report).

Snowfall Totals

Totals October November December January Febuary March

Snow 31.5" 24" 38" 41"

% of Ave. Depth 72% 91% 94% 134% 94%

Snow at Gyser Pass 10" 18" 26" 35" 51" 58"
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

20

Avalanche Incidents and Accidents

This list includes:

w Unintentional avalanche incidents in the backcountry. For instance, when someone accidentally triggers a slide, or is caught, carried, injured, buried or killed.

w Only important incidents at ski resorts and on highways when injury or property damage

occurs.

It does not include:

w Intentional avalanche releases in the backcountry such as avalanches triggered by kicking

cornices and avalanches triggered by ski cutting suspect slopes.

w Intentional avalanche releases by professionals such as ski cuts by patrollers and helicopter guides.

w Minor incidents in which a professional is caught

Finally, we estimate that we hear about only half of all the avalanche incidents that occur in

Utah each winter. It’s easy enough to know about avalanche fatalities or major incidents requiring

a rescue but we know that, especially in rural areas, and especially among snowmobilers, most

incidents go unreported outside of a small circle of friends.

Date Location Details

25-Oct Eddies (Alta pre-season) 2 skiers caught, 1 injured

22-Nov Meadow Chutes Skier caught, no injuries 

21-Nov Tony Grove (Logan area) 2 Snowboarders, one buried to neck, one t

22-Nov Pfeifferhorn Triggered by climbers

23-Nov Meadow Chutes Skier triggered

26-Nov Mt Superior 2 skiers caught, 1 injuried

27-Nov Hidden Canyon Boarder buried to neck

8-Dec Sundance Triggered by skier

8-Dec Sundance/Blackeye Triggered by 2 walkers

10-Dec Red Pine Saddle Sympathetic to skier

13-Dec Millcreek Hunter caught, rode to bottom, no injuries

29-Dec Reynolds Pk Skier triggered

28-Dec Limelight Skier triggered

30-Dec Patsy Marly Skier triggered

2-Jan Flagstaff Mtn. near Deer Valley Skier buried to waist uninjured

2-Jan Butler Hill near BCC road Snow player triggered

4-Jan Ant Knolls Snowmobile triggered

6-Jan Lower Ivory Skier caught, small ride

6-Jan Little Superior (SE) Skier caught, able to arrest 

6-Jan Sound of Music bowl Snowboarder caught, no injuries
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

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9-Jan Dry Fork Skier triggered

11-Jan Little Superior Pk 2 skiers caught, no injuries

11-Jan Powder Mtn Snowboarder buried, OK

11-Jan Powder Mtn Skier takes ride, hits a tree, injures knee & 

11-Jan Pink Pine Ridge 2 skiers caught and 1 seriously injured. R

12-Jan Solitude Patroller completely buried, resuscitated 

13-Jan Daly Bowl Skier triggered 

14-Jan 1000 Peaks. Sympathetic releases to skier 

16-Jan 3 Mi W Elk Meadows 12 Boy Scouts caught, 4 completely buried

16-Jan Toledo Bowl Peruvian Lodge at Alta suffers major damag

17-Jan Brighton Skier caught, no injuries

17-Jan Little Cottonwood Cyn. Forest Service garage hit and UPL trucks b

17-Jan Beartrap Fork Sympathetic releases to skiers

17-Jan near Coleville Snowmobiler fatality

18-Jan Sanpete County Snowmobiler fatality

18-Jan Little Cottonwood Cyn. Cars hit by controlled slide

31-Jan Mineral Basin Snowmobile and skier triggered

3-Feb Upper Day’s Fk Skier takes ride, uninjured

4-Feb Mid Day’s Fk Skier caught, buried to waist, lost gear, bro

8-Feb Mineral Basin Skier takes 200' ride

8-Feb Guardsmans Pass Skier triggered, debris over road.

22-Feb Bountiful Peak 2 skiers kick cornices and go for short ride

21-Feb Bountiful Peak Snowmobiler triggered and caught

22-Feb Soldier Fork Skier triggered and caught

22-Feb Uintas, Duschesne Ridge Huge snowmobile triggered slide, not caugh

26-Feb Near W eber State David Ebberhard, student at W eber State fa

26-Feb LCC Highway - Tanners Slide knocks 2 cars off road, minor injuries

5-Mar W . Bowl Silver Fork Skier takes short ride

4-Mar Red Baldy Skier triggered from sensitive cornice

4-Mar American Fork 4-5 skier triggered slides

7-Mar Millicent Snowboarder trigered

7-Mar W hite Pine Skier triggered

10-Mar W of W ater Hollow Skier takes ride, hits trees, OK

10-Mar Primrose Cirque Skier caught, loses ski, OK

14-Mar LCC Highway W hite Pine Fingers several burials, 1 seriou

19-Mar Thunder Peak Skier takes 400' ride, but OK

28-Mar Pioneer Ridge Snowboarder triggered slide

31-Mar Tuscarora Snowboarder triggered slide

31-Mar Millicent Peak Skier triggered

1-Apr Uintahs (1000 Pks) Skier caught, no injuries

1-Apr Uintahs (1000 Pks) Two more skier triggered slides

5-Apr Mineral Skier triggered

7-Apr Red Baldy Skier triggered

8-Apr W hite Pine Skier triggered

9-Apr Mineral/Cardiac Ridge Skiers triggered several

9-Apr Cardiac Bowl Skier triggered

10-Apr Thunder Bowl Skier took ride, uninjured

14-Apr Figure 8 Hill Skier triggered
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

22

Avalanche Education

One of the most important things we do is to promote avalanche awareness and to educate

the public about avalanche safety. We figure that the more background information we can get

out to the public, the better can make wise, informed decisions in the backcountry. We try to give

people an overview of how to recognize dangerous avalanche terrain, how to evaluate dangerous

snow conditions, and what weather factors may lead to an increasing avalanche hazard.

We offer a number of free, basic avalanche awareness classes throughout the season. In

these two-hour lectures we show slides, videos and use models to explain the basics of the avalanche phenomenon, safe travel in avalanche terrain, snowpack stability evaluation, and the

human factors which lead to avalanche accidents and rescue. Our evening lectures at REI are

always popular, usually drawing standing room only crowds of about 250 people. We especially

try to provide talks to user groups like snowboarders and snowmobilers because their fatality

numbers have risen so dramatically in recent years. We also give free avalanche awareness

talks on university campuses, at high schools or private businesses, or any place where a large

number of people have expressed interest. Each year many more requests come in for talks than

we can provide.

In addition to the basic two hour lecture, we also help teach several three-day intensive

avalanche workshops offered by the private sector. This type of workshop involves several hours

of lecture in the morning, then a full afternoon in the field each day. In order to help start

snowboarders on the long road to avalanche education, Evelyn Lees worked with the Friends of

the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center to organize the second annual advanced avalanche workshop for snowboarders, which took place in February. The workshop featured lectures from

17-Apr Primrose Cirque Skier triggered several

23-Apr Bridal Veil Falls 2 people hit, one caught and injured

17-May Mineral Basin Snowmobiler triggered and caught, uninjure

30-May Uinta Mtns. Snowboarder triggered slide

Summary:

Triggered 96

Caught 57

Partly Buried 17

Totally Buried 8

Injured 7

Killed 3 (includes one unconfirmed avalanche victim near W eber State)

Total number of incidents: 72
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

23

several members of our staff, as well as a few of the local snowboarding avalanche professionals.

This workshop was a great success, with the usual high reviews from the students, and most

important, three writers from national snowboarding magazines attended. One writer is finishing a

book on backcountry snowboarding and he not only wrote a strong avalanche section into his

book, but he encourages other snowboarders to take a class similar to the one we taught.

Bruce Tremper and Carol Ciliberti presented lectures at the National Ski Patrol Intermountain

Division Advanced Avalanche Class in February. In an effort to reach out to younger members of

the population, Tom Kimbrough and Carol Ciliberti presented basic avalanche awareness seminars to local high school and grade school students.

We feel that education is one of the primary ways that we can help to prevent avalanche

accidents and fatalities. This season we made special effort to reach out to the newer, growing

user groups like snowmobilers, snowboarders and young students. Each year more people in

Utah head out into the backcountry, and so it becomes even more essential to provide quality

education to the public.

A valanc he E duc ation List

D ate S taff E vent No. People

17-Nov J enkins Franklin C o. (ID ) Highmarkers 70 

17-Nov K imbrough B lasters S c hool 300 

20-Nov Kimbrough Snowbasin Patrol 30 

1-D ec Felix Moab Resc ue Team 16 

2-D ec Felix Friends of LS A FC

2-D ec K imbrough Garfield J r High 50 

2-D ec K imbrough, Lees, C iliberti RE I 220 

3-D ec K imbrough UA FC observers 15 

6-D ec S haw, C lapier Roc kc reation 24 

7-D ec Felix Moab Resc ue Team 16 

9-D ec Felix Grand C o. Resc ue Team 14 

10-Dec Soucie REI/Orem 50 

12/13/15 J enkins/Hebertson Beaver Mt. 30 

16-D ec S taff RE I/S alt Lake 200 

17-D ec K imbrough A A I/Level II 35 

13-D ec S haw, C lapier, A they S pruc es/beac ons 21 

16-D ec S aff RE I/S alt Lake 200+

18-D ec Felix Moab HS Outroor 10 

E d C lass

24-D ec Felix Grand J unc tion NW S 5 

7-J an Kobe/Hebertson USU Outdoor Program 50 

8-J an S haw B lac k D iamond 15 

8-J an Tremper Zion Luthern 90 

14-J an Lees Uinta S.O. 25 

1/17/19 Staff Avi W orkshop 33 

1/21/24 J enkins/Hebertson B asic A valanc he C ourse 15 

1/28/31 J enkins/Hebertson Powder Mt. 45 

27-J an Tremper RE I/S alt Lake 160 

30-J an Felix / B rown Moab basic c lass 15 
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

24

Media

The Utah Avalanche Center was once again a high profile part of the Forest Service during

the 1997-98 winter season. Media contacts were up over 30% from the previous season, partly

due to our additional staffing. With the addition of an information assistant during the peak busy

hours, 7 days per week, combined with a new second phone line, the media was able to talk to a

person rather than get an answering machine.

Television:

We did on-camera interviews for two different national television documentaries this season.

Carol Ciliberti was interviewed on-camera for a national television documentary to air on the

Discovery Channel next season because of her heroic role in the miraculous live recovery of a

woman buried last season (see the 1996-97 annual report). Understandably, the media has

focused much attention on this accident and her participation in these documentaries has cast the

Forest Service in a very positive light. Bruce Tremper was also interviewed on-camera by the

Learning Channel. Both of these documentaries will air during the 1998-99 season.

In addition, several national television documentaries, which were filmed in previous years,

continued to see air time this season, including National Geographic and another hour-long documentary on the Discovery Channel. Both of these feature Bruce Tremper.

Television continues to be an effective means of spreading avalanche information. UAFC

staff appeared on the local television 22 times, and national television twice.

Print media:

Newspapers and magazines also continue to be an effective way to communicate. UAFC

staff was interviewed by national print media 6 times and local print media 34 times. The Salt Lake

City Weekly featured Tom Kimbrough as part of an article on “Local Heroes.” The Salt Lake Tri4-Feb Lowry REI/Orem 70 

7-Feb C iliberti P ark C ity /NS P 50 

7-Feb Felix Gey ser Pass - Moab 15 

7-Feb Felix Mt. P eale - Moab 12 

11-Feb Lees Mt Pleasant 95 

2/14/16 Tremper, C iliberti A vi W orkshop 20 

14-Feb Tremper W ilderness Medic ine 100 

18-Feb J enkins Snow Basin Patrol 15 

18-Feb Tremper U of U/A vi Resc ue 100 

21-Feb Kimbrough W SU/Basic Avi 13 

2/27-3/1 C iliberti A vi W orkshop A K 33 

7-Mar Shaw Avi W orkshop/BC C 8 

10-Mar Felix P ric e, UT 9 

12-Mar C lapier E isenhower J r High 150 

14-Mar Felix S an J uan C o. SA R Team 17 

15-Mar Felix C arbon C o. SA R Team 17 

W inter Qtr J enkins/Hebertson USU Avi c ourse 15 

45 events 2,560
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

25

bune featured Faerthen Felix iin their “Mention of Honor” section. Bruce Tremper was the avalanche columnist for Couloir Magazine, a national publication that specializes in backcountry,

adventure in the mountains. Tom Kimbrough continued writing a monthly avalanche article for

Tuna News, and wrote an article for the Avalanche Review. We do this at no charge since we

want to get good avalanche information out to the public in a variety of formats.

Radio:

We have continued our live radio broadcasts on two public radio stations, from late November

through mid April. In addition, the UAFC staff did at least 9 other radio interviews with local stations

Media Contacts

Date Forecaster Media Subject

11/13 Clapier Science Times UAFC/Avalanches

11/15 Lees SL City Weekly Avi awareness

11/18 Clapier The Journal UAFC/general avi

11/18 Clapier KSL news LCC sirens

11/22 Lees KSL news UAFC/Avi awareness

11/26 Clapier Terra Asscs Video footage

11/30 Clapier SL Tribune UAFC phone #s

11/28 Tremper KTVX Avi conditions

12/4 Clapier Powder Magazine Fund raising

12/4 Clapier SL Tribune Avi accidents 97

12/5 Kimbrough Ind. Writer Avi general

12/5 Kimbrough SL Weekly Local Heros

12/5 Clapier NY TV Filming avis

12/8 Tremper KSL TV Avi conditions

12/8 Ciliberti KTVX Avi warning

12/8 Tremper Anchorage TV Video

12/8 Ciliberti SL Tribune Avi warning

12/9 Lees Stnd Examiner Avi conditions

12/9 Felix Moab Times Independent Schedule of Events

12/9 Lees KSL radio Avi conditions

12/10 Clapier KTVX Avi hazard

12/12 BT & CC KTVX Avi general

12/14 Ciliberti Learning Channel Avi general

12/16 Felix Channel 6 TV Moab Open for Season

12/17 Felix KZMU Radio Schedule

12/18 Felix Moab Happenings Open for Season

12/19 Felix Moab Happenings Basic Avi Info

12/31 Felix Salt Lake Tribune Mention of Honor

1/7 Shaw Stnd Examiner Avi Forecasting

1/7 Clapier GRB Entrtnmnt Avi accidents

1/8 Ciliberti Interim Prod Coyle accident
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

26

1/12 Shaw Stnd Examiner Avi conditions

1/12 SS & CC SL Tribune Conditions/Accident

1/12 Shaw Stnd Examiner Avi advisory

1/12 Ciliberti KUTV Avi conditions

1/12 Ciliberti Deseret News Avi warning

1/12 Tremper KSL TV Avi warning

1/13 Kimbrough KUTV Avi warning

1/13 Clapier Deseret News Red Pine accdnt

1/13 Kimbrough Stnd Examiner Red Pine accdnt

1/13 TK & BT KUTV Red Pine accdnt

1/13 TK & BT KSL TV Red Pine accdnt

1/13 TK & BT KTVX Red Pine accdnt

1/13 Tremper KPCW - NPR Avalanches

1/14 Clapier Stnd Examiner Avi conditions

1/14 Tremper KSL Ski Utah General avi info

1/14 Felix Channel 6 TV Moab Interview - avi conditions

1/17 Tremper SL Tribune Reporting policy

1/18 Tremper KSL TV Avi warning

1/19 Shaw Fox 13 News Avi conditions

1/19 Shaw KSL Avi conditions

1/19 Shaw Deseret News Avi conditions

1/19 Shaw Park Record Avi conditions

1/19 Shaw KSL Avi conditions

1/19 Shaw SL Tribune Avi conditions

1/20 Lees Park Record Avi conditions

1/20 Lees Standard Examiner Avi conditions

1/20 Tremper Ski Utah News Avi conditions

1/20 KC & CC GRB Prod Coyle accident

1/23 Felix Moab Happenings Avi information

1/28 Felix Channel 6 TV Avi Awareness Week schedule

2/04 Clapier Japanese TV El Nino/Avi conds

2/05 Kimbrough Deseret News 2/4 avi incident

2/06 Clapier Standard Examiner Avi conds/fatalities

2/17 Shaw Sandy News Avi forecasting

2/25 Tremper KSL Radio Avi conditions

2/27 Clapier Deseret News Tanner’s Gulch avi

2/27 Clapier KUTV Tanner’s Gulch avi

2/27 Clapier News 4 Utah Avi conditions

3/10 Felix Price Sun-Advocate Snowmobile avalanche class

3/10 Felix Emory County Progressor Snowmobile avalanche class

3/11 Clapier ABC News Avi rescue story

3/12 Kimbrough Michigan HS Avi forecasting

3/15 Ciliberti KSL-TV Avi conditions

3/16 Shaw News 4 Utah Wet slides/Avi Ed

3/17 Shaw Park Record General avi info

3/19 Kimbrough Holt,Rhinehart Jr High text book

3/19 Felix Snowmobile Magazine Avalanche Information

3/27 Tremper Learning Chan. General avi info

79 Total media contacts
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

27

Synopsis of media contacts:

Media Number of contacts

National TV on-camera interviews 2

National TV telephone contacts 7

National print media interviews 6

Local television interviews 22

Local print media 34

Local radio 7

Observers

As the Forecast Center begins working towards 2002, we started beefing up the volunteer

observer program by adding three very experienced new observers. Scott Burch and Craig Gordon have been feeding us information for years. Finally, we are giving them a small token of our

appreciation for their fine reports. Eric Trenbeath has become our Eyes at Alta, with excellent and

timely reports on control results as well as backcountry conditions.

Our reliable old regulars continued their usual good work. In addition to frequent

backcountry trips several of our observers have become active avalanche educators. Phil Lowery

gave talks in the Provo area. Brad Bodily did the same around Ogden, plus conducting several

field sessions. Bruce Englehard and Bob Athey were primary instructors at the two three day

extensive workshops in the Salt Lake mountains.

Our program would be lost without Bob Athey. As a field observer hired directly by the

Friends of the Forecast Center, his reports are essential to our forecasts. The FUAFC pays him a

flat rate for the season and he is out nearly every day, calling in from his cell phone with great

observations. We consider him part of our staff, and as such, his observations are not tabulated

below.

The return for each dollar paid to these people represents about an hour’s time for a highly

trained and experienced winter mountaineer. Their dedication to the safety of all backcountry

travelers is greatly appreciated by our entire staff.

 FUAFC Observers

Observer Observations Cost

Joey Dempster 17 $170

Sean Wagner 35 $350

Craig Gordon 35 $350

Scott Burch 31 $310

Eric Trenbeath 26 $260

Greg Gagne 13 $130

Luke Smith 4 $40

Bob Merrill 3 $30
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

28

Total 164 $1,640

USFS Contract Observers

Observer No. Observations Cost

Greg Dollhousen 46 $460

Bruce Englehard 24 $240

Rip Griffith 34 $408

Brad Bodily 20 $200

Brian Smith 9 $90

Phil Lowry 36 $360

Total 169 $1,758

Grand Total 333 observations $3,398

Budget

Where the Money Comes From

For the past half-dozen or so years, demands for our services have exceeded the funding

available to deliver them by a wide margin. This season, we came closer to being able to do our

job properly than any other year in recent memory. And baring any catastrophes, the future

prospects to continue look good.

In short, our funding represents the epitome of a successful partnership. Only 28 percent

of the funding for the northern Utah operation comes from Forest Service base operating funds.

The rest comes from a consortium of other private money and other agencies that have an interest

in preventing avalanche deaths.

Funding sources for public avalanche bulletins throughout Utah

Forest Service base funds for northern Utah 31,000

Forest Service 2002 Planning Team 31,000

State of Utah Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management 25,000

Salt Lake County 20,000

Friends of the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center (private funds) 25,000

Manti-La Sal National Forest, Moab Ranger District 15,500

Utah State University 15,000

Utah State Parks (for recording avalanche information for snowmobilers) 9,000

National Forest Foundation 5,000

Total 176,500
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

29

In-Kind Support

In addition, several agencies, universities and businesses contribute in-kind support. Utah

State University provides salary for Mike Jenkins, office space and computer and telephone resources. The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City donates office space, weather forecasting services, computers and postage. Several universities and businesses have donated space

on their PBX telephone systems for distribution of our avalanche bulletins to the local community.

These include: Utah State University, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, Park City

Resort and the Town of Alta. We wish to thank each one of these entities for helping to save lives

in Utah.

Where the Money Goes

Almost all (85 percent) of the money is spent “on the ground” i.e. salaries for skilled avalanche forecasters that gather and compile information, issue avalanche bulletins to the public and

teach avalanche classes to the public, contract observers and work on special projects. A proportionally small amount (15 percent) is spent on telephone service, computers, travel and equipment.

Expenditures for public avalanche bulletins in Utah

Salary 151,000

Equipment and Supplies 14,000

Telephone 7,110

Travel 6241

Total 178,351

Planning for the 2002 Olympic Games

Additional funds for the 2002 Winter Olympics gave us a much-needed shot in the arm.

Although it only increased the total budget for northern Utah by about 20 percent, it allowed us to

finally have two people staff the office in the mornings. In the past, a single forecaster in the office

could not hope to get out the products to the public and have the time to answer all the incoming

calls from the media and our cooperators. Callers would just have to leave a message and we

would get back to them if we had time.

Our three most important jobs in building toward 2002 are: relationships, relationships and

relationships. With the addition of an information assistant in the office, anyone who called our

office could talk to a live person, which of course, is the first step in developing and maintaining

relationships with our cooperators, the media and other agencies. For instance, we have watched

our relationships with the ski areas suffer over the past several years because we increasingly

found that we just didn’t have time to talk with them anymore. And in a community of avalanche

professionals, talking with each other is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Because of the increased demand on our staff, especially the Director, to do Olympic

planning work, we also felt it necessary to boost two part-time positions to full time. This allowed

us to gain better coverage to outlying areas, visit venue sites more often, attend more Olympic

planning meetings, develop an Internet site, and most important, develop better relationships with

our cooperators.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

30

During the summer of 1997, we developed a detailed avalanche plan for the 2002 Olympic

Games (available on the Internet, www.avalanche.org, and from the Forest Service 2002 Planning

Team).

We also developed a graphical display of avalanche information, otherwise known as

“Powder the Polar Bear”. We would like to utilize Powder the Polar Bear as the winter sports

equivalent of Smoky Bear. Powder points to the avalanche danger scale for various locations and

terrain types throughout our forecast area. We will release it to the public during the 1998-99

season. The public can see it on the Internet at www.avalanche.org.

During the summer of 1998, we plan to develop a GIS display of avalanche danger that will

complement the information from Powder the Polar Bear. This will also be available on the

Internet.

We have also used 2002 dollars for the installation and programming of automated

weather stations throughout northern Utah and we will continue to install stations in critical areas.

We have done this in partnership with the National Weather Service and the Salt Lake Organizing

Committee.

Finally, during the summer of 1998, we will further develop Westwide Avalanche Network,

an Internet-based way that avalanche professional communicate critical information and data

throughout the U.S. For the 2002 Olympic Games, we will need a real-time display of snowfall

amounts and other weather data, and avalanche occurrence data, from cooperators such as ski

resorts. Each resort will type their weather and avalanche information into the Internet twice daily,

and that information can be instantly accessed by all the entities that cooperate in the system.

This is very similar to INFOEX run by the Canadian Avalanche Association, which has proved very

successful and useful. This will run on Westwide Avalanche Network, a private, non-profit organization which is run in association with the American Association of Avalanche Professionals.

2002 Olympics Avalanche Budget 1997-98

Information Assistant 9000

Additional Staff Time and Training 8000

Internet Site Development 5000

Olympic planning and meetings 3000

Venue Site Visits and Meetings 4000

Weather Station Installation and Programming 2000

Total 31000
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

31

Statewide Revenues

Forest Service

44%

State of Utah

14%

Private Contributions

14%

Salt Lake County

11%

Utah State University

9%

State Parks Snowmobile 

Fund

5% National Forest 

Foundation

3%

Statewide Expenditures

Salaries

85%

Equipment and 

Supplies

8%

Telephone

4%

Travel

3%
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

32

Wasatch

 Revenues

Forest Service Base 

Operating Funds

22%

State of Utah

17%

FUAFC

17%

Salt Lake County

14%

State Parks Snowmobile 

Funds

6%

Natonal Forest 

Foundation

3%

Forest Service 2002 

Funds

21%

Wasatch Expenditures

Printing

1%

Contract Computer 

Programming

3%

Staff Salary and 

Benefits

67%

Logan Program

4%

Telephones

6%

Contract Information 

Assistant

6%

Observers

6%

Equipment and Supplies

4%

Travel 

2%

Training

1%
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

33

Appendix

Monthly Call Rate

Total Calls for Salt Lake City, (combined short and long recordings)

Year November December January February March April Total

1980 714 1,514 4,274 2,967 3,389 1,313 14,171

1981 2,200 4,800 6,257 7,277 6,887 3,135 30,556

1982 1,761 6,879 8,522 5,485 6,361 3,416 32,424

1983 2,741 6,804 7,614 7,731 9,911 5,339 40,140

1984 3,216 10,708 7,073 7,032 5,983 4,393 38,405

1985 2,827 5,704 5,260 8,399 7,122 3,021 32,333

1986 4,119 4,703 6,298 10,628 6,225 3,706 35,679

1987 3,902 3,911 10,022 8,201 8,364 3,406 37,806

1988 2,646 7,235 11,296 8,080 10,196 4,186 43,639

1989 7,229 13,390 10,031 11,285 10,552 4,048 56,536

1990 4,651 9,204 17,049 15,120 13,072 4,747 63,843

1991 7,250 14,766 15,986 11,080 16,359 7,455 72,896

1992 12,670 9,365 11,970 17,396 15,200 5,799 72,399

1993 17,621 17,622 19,421 17,676 12,651 6,369 91,358

1994 6,663 12,251 19,743 22,517 14,615 9,281 85,072

1995 13,310 16,442 24,414 18,170 18,838 12,647 103,821

1996 7,685 16,785 29,074 22,398 16,189 9,338 101,469

1997 15,689 23,769 28,431 18,537 15,998 10,645 113,069

1998 9,529 16,672 27,407 25,453 17,746 9,464 106,267

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

Number of Calls

7779818385878991939597

Winter

Yearly Calls by Area

Alta

Moab

Park City

Provo

Ogden

Logan

Salt Lake
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

34

Numbers which look like rounded numbers are estimates of call counts based either on

previous years when call counters were installed or on spot checks during the season. During the

1996-97 season, both the 3-minute and 5-minute forecast were combined into one recording with

general information on the beginning of the recording and more detailed information at the end.

Moab's low call count this season was because a forecaster was not hired for the position until mid

season.

Year SLC SLC SLC Logan Ogden Provo Park Moab Total

3-min 5-min Total City

77 6,522 6,522 13,044

78 11,258 11,258 11,258

79 9,924 9,924 9,924

80 14,469 14,469 14,469

81 30,736 30,736 30,736

82 33,099 33,099 33,099

83 40,355 40,355 4,357 1,890 3,671 3,042 53,315

84 39,647 39,647 5,300 2,725 4,076 2,577 54,325

85 32,476 32,476 4,652 1,706 2,276 2,386 43,496

86 36,535 36,535 5,469 5,464 2,292 2,562 52,322

87 38,841 38,841 4,693 2,587 2,518 2,121 50,760

88 39,614 4,020 43,634 4,000 2,500 2,500 2,500 55,134

89 48,488 8,033 56,521 4,000 2,500 2,500 2,500 1,100 69,121

90 52,898 10,947 63,845 4,000 2,500 2,500 3,000 1,693 77,538

91 62,814 10,160 72,974 4,000 2,500 2,500 3,000 2,811 87,785

92 62,429 9,970 72,399 4,000 2,500 2,500 3,000 3,216 87,615

93 79,248 12,136 91,384 3,676 3,034 3,134 3,419 2,763 107,410

94 71,880 13,204 85,084 4,110 3,500 2,610 3,663 3,000 101,967

95 90,052 13,770 103,822 5,044 3,746 3,000 3,640 2,842 122,094

96 89,965 11,529 101,494 3,566 2,744 2,813 3,338 1,794 115,749

97 113,069 113,069 5,000 3,000 3,000 4,000 1,056 129,125

98 106,267 8,579 106,267 5,000 3,000 3,000 4,000 2,000 125,271

the PBX systems that carry the bulletins for Logan, Ogden, Park City, Provo and Alta can not count calls.

Therefore, we use estimates here based on reliable numbers from previous years. Actual numbers will likely

be higher because multiple callers can access the bulletin at the same time--something that was not possible

during the years with accurate numbers.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

35

Backcountry Avalanche Incidents

At Least Totally

Year Triggered Caught Partially Buried Buried Killed

1997-98 96 57 17 8 3

1996-97 84 62 37 9 6

1995-96 51 15 3 2 2

1994-95 79 31 7 9 5

1993-94 74 42 5 3 1

1992-93 65 29 9 5 3

1991-92 76 27 14 9 5

1990-91 46 19 7 1 0

1989-90 65 34 14 2 0

1988-89 64 9 1 0 0

1987-88 39 6 (1) (1) 0

1986-87 50 18 6 3 2

1985-86 66 27 12 5 5

1984-85 79 39 15 6 2

1983-84 M 24 M M 1

1982-83 M M 15 M 0

1981-82 M M M M 1

1980-81 M M M M 2

1979-80 M M M M 1

1978-79 M M M M 2

1977-78 M M M M 0

76-77 M M M M 1

75-76 M M M M 1
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

36

Season Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Total

1944-45 — 57.0 19.5 67.0 — 57.0

1945-46 109.0 83.0 84.5 50.0 69.0 55.5 451.0

1946-47 69.0 63.0 61.0 53.0 68.0 60.0 374.0

1947-48 118.0 80.0 46.0 66.0 165.0 74.0 549.0

1948-49 71.0 160.0 132.0 58.0 97.0 5.0 523.0

1949-50 39.0 137.0 133.0 34.0 109.0 25.0 477.0

1950-51 60.0 66.0 112.0 58.0 53.0 0.0 349.0

1951-52 67.0 156 115.0 105.0 163.0 35.0 641.0

1952-53 44.0 65.0 112.0 40.0 93.0 57.0 411.0

1953-54 50.0 107.0 54.0 57.0 101.0 14.0 383.0

1954-55 37.0 53.0 134.0 129.0 60.0 59.0 472.0

1955-56 86.0 112.0 103.0 72.0 33.0 54.0 460.0

1956-57 36.0 50.0 86.0 41.0 97.0 76.0 386.0

1957-58 74.0 79.5 83.5 131.5 80.0 111.0 559.5

1958-59 38.0 47.5 81.0 107.0 84.5 28.0 386.0

1959-60 22.0 39.5 59.0 155.0 92.0 28.0 395.5

1960-61 75.0 40.0 1.0 62.0 113.0 35.0 326.0

1961-62 46.0 82.5 86.0 110.0 35.0 42.0 401.5

1962-63 31.0 17.0 85.0 39.0 93.0 136.0 401.0

1963-64 55.0 53.0 108.0 68.0 183.0 99.0 566.0

1964-65 95.0 141.0 150.0 66.0 44.0 77.0 573.0

1965-66 69.0 69.0 73.0 103.0 70.0 49.0 433.0

1966-67 53.0 84.0 168.0 72.0 61.0 106.0 544.0

1967-68 22.0 131.0 39.0 84.0 70.0 133.5 479.5

1968-69 87.5 132.6 113.0 148.0 35.0 50.0 566.1

1969-70 56.0 70.0 103.5 60.5 79.0 90.0 459.0

1970-71 79.0 142.0 58.0 73.5 87.0 42.0 481.5

1971-72 64.5 159.0 94.5 45.0 47.0 56.6 466.6

1972-73 —— 122.0 64.5 77.0 124.0 109.0 496.5

1973-74 90.9 128.2 104.5 91.0 45.0 136.0 595.6

1974-75 25.5 146.5 104.0 88.0 151.0 90.0 605.0

1975-76 94.0 67.0 74.5 69.0 93.0 42.0 439.5

1976-77 13.5 17.0 50.5 73.5 129.0 31.0 314.5

1977-78 53.0 106.5 99.5 92.5 85.0 88.0 524.5

1978-79 62.5 96.0 78.5 86.0 71.0 94.0 588.0

1979-80 79.5 27.0 143.0 112.5 123.0 29.0 514.0

1980-81 40.0 34.0 73.0 82.0 110.0 52.0 391.0

1981-82 47.0 184.0 143.0 85.0 164.0 73.0 696.0

1982-83 66.0 165.0 75.5 68.0 150.0 112.5 637.0

1983-84 143.5 244.5 42.0 104.0 85.0 124.5 743.5

1984-85 112.5 105.0 44.0 61.5 99.5 34.5 457.0

1985-86 132.0 62.0 56.0 112.7 100.0 135.7 599.0

1986-87 73.0 12.3 96.0 73.0 104.0 23.5 381.8

1987-88 30.0 91.0 105.1 39.75 115.5 29.0 410.3

1988-89 172.5 124.5 70.75 97.5 64.75 52.0 581.5

1989-90 76.0 49.0 107.5 100.5 84.0 31.0 448.0

1990-91 109.5 91.0 82.8 49.7 110.9 136.3 580.2

1991-92 133.4 57.2 41.8 85 50.1 27.5 395.0

1992-93 118.8 119.2 165.3 102.9 63.0 81.2 650.4

1993-94 40.7 64.85 122.7 134.05 47.2 80.8 490.3

1994-95 205.9 73.8 199.7 56.3 128.9 80.7 745.4

1995-96 57 53 187 104 82 79 562

1996-97 78.3 164.8 141.5 91 53.8 69.7 599.1

1997-98 46.3 81.8 128.8 156.6 92.3 69.0 574.9

Average 71.1 90.7 94.2 81.0 91.4 66.1 500.6

Maximum 205.9 244.5 199.7 155 183 136.3 745.4

Year of Max 94 83 95 68 64 91 95

Snowfall at Alta DOT Study Plot 1944-Present
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

37

Alta November - April Snowfall 

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

464850525456586062646668707274767880828486889092949698

Winter

Inches of Snow

The Alta Forest Service Upper Guard Station has the longest record and most accurate record for any ski

area in Utah. We tend to use their snowfall numbers as an indicator of the season. Alta finished the season

with 579.8 inches of snow, 115 percent of its average of 500 inches.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

38

Utah Avalanche Deaths - 1950-present

Date Deaths Sex Location Activity

3/9/58 2 Males Snowbasin rescuer

3/29/64 1 Male Snowbasin worker

12/31/65 1 Male Park City in-bounds skier

2/12/67 2 Males Pharoah’s Glen climbers

2/19/68 1 Male Rock Canyon hiker

1/29/70 1 Male Alta in-bounds skier

1/29/73 1 Male Park West in-bounds skier

1/6/76 1 Male Alta out of bounds skier

3/3/77 1 Male Snowbird in-bounds skier

1/19/79 1 Male Helper worker

4/2/79 1 Male Lake Desolation skier

1/11/80 1 Male Evergreen Ridge skier

2/1/81 1 Male Cardiff hiker

3/1/81 1 Male Millcreek skier

3/22/82 1 Male near Park West skier

1/2/84 1 Male Superior skier

2/22/85 1 Male Near Powder Mountain skier

3/19/85 1 Female Park City in-bounds wet slide

11/13/85 2 Males Sunset Peak skiers

1/6/86 1 Male Provo Canyon skier

2/17/86 1 Male Big Cottonwood Canyon snowboarder

2/19/86 1 Male Alta in bounds skier

11/20/86 1 Male Sugarloaf, Alta hiker in unopened area

2/15/87 1 Male Twin Lakes Reservoir skier

11/25/89 1 Male Tony Grove Lake, Logan kier

2/12/92 4 3-M/1-F Gold Basin, La Sal Mtns skiers

4/ 1/92 1 Male Mineral Basin, near Snowbird skier

1/16/93 1 Male Sundance closed area

2/25/93 1 Male Pinecrest, Emig. Cyn. skier

4/3/93 1 Male Wolverine Cirque skier

2/18/94 1 Male 10,420 Peak, B.C.C. skier

11/7/94 1 Male Snowbird unopened

1/14/95 2 Males Ben Lomond, Ogden snowmobiler

1/23/95 1 Male Midway resident killed in roof slide

2/12/95 1 Male Gobbler’s Knob, B.C.C. skier

2/2/96 1 Male Solitude patroller worker

3/27/96 1 Male Maybird Gulch, L.C.C. skier

12/7/96 1 Male Bountiful Peak snowmobiler

12/26/96 1 Male Flagstaff Peak snowboarder

01/11/97 3 Males Logan Peak Three campers

01/25/97 1 Male Provo Canyon climber

01/17/98 1 Male Near Coleville snowmobiler

01/18/98 1 Male Sanpete County snowmobiler

02/26/98 1 Male Near Weber State hiker

Total Deaths since 1950: 53 51 Males, 2 Females
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

39

Date Location State Description (all backcountry unless

otherwise noted)

11/9/97 Hatcher Pass AK Snowboarder

11/23/97 Crow Pass AK Hiker

12/30/97 Guanella Pass CO Snowhoer

1/3/98 Reas Pk, near Island Park ID Snowmobiler

1/3/98 near Hamilton MT Snowmobiler

1/3/98 Mission Mountains MT Climber

1/11/98 Battle Lake, near Encampment WY Snowmobiler

1/17/98 Mt. Pleasant, Wasatch Plateau UT Snowmobiler

1/18/98 Summit Co. east of Park City UT Snowmobiler

1/18/98 Cooke City MT 3 Snowmobilers

1/18/98 Madison Range MT Snowmobiler

1/18/98 Blewett Pass WA Snowmobiler

1/21/98 Lizzard Head Pass - Telluride CO Snowboarder

1/24/98 Inspiration Pass, near Kalispell MT Snowmobiler

2/11/98 Donner Pass CA Snowboarder

2/22/98 Mormon Hills, near Sun Valley ID Snowmobiler

2/26/98 Near Ogden UT Hiker

3/1/98 Berthod Pass CO Snowboarder

3/8/98 Aspen CO Out-of-Bounds Skier

4/1/98 St. Mary’s Glacier CO Hiker

4/19/98 Berthod Pass CO Snowshoer

4/20/98 Thompson Pass AK Helicopter Skier

4/25/98 Denali National Park AK Snowmobiler

5/31/98 Mt. Hood OR Climber

6/11/98 Mt. Rainier WA Climber

Snowmobilers 13

Snowboarder 4

Climbers 3

Hikers 3

Skier 2

Snowshoer 2

Total 27

Avalanche Fatalities in the U.S. -1997-98

As of June 20th

1997-98 U.S. Fatalities by Type

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Snowmobilers

Snowboarder

Climbers

Hikers

Skier

Snowshoer

Number of Fatalities
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

40

Example of an Avalanche Bulletin

Good Afternoon, this is Seth Shaw with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Forecast Center with your

backcountry avalanche and mountain weather bulletin. It is Monday, January 19 and it's 4:30 pm. This

information is brought to you in part by a generous donation to the FUAFC from the Evolution Ski

Company, makers of hand crafted skis.

Bottom Line:

Avalanche warning in effect! Northern, central, and southwestern mountains and the Wasatch Plateau:

High avalanche danger at all elevations.

Current conditions:

As of about 3:00 this afternoon there is a foot of new snow in the upper part of Big and Little Cottonwood

canyons, a foot at snowbasin, 6" to a foot on the Park City side of the range, and 8" at Sundance. The new

snow averages around 7 to 10% density. Today winds blew 10 to 20 mph out of the NW along exposed

ridges except at snowbasin where they are still gusting to 40 in area with Mt Ogden gusting in the 50's.

Last night the winds blew hard from the S and SW with an extra burst this morning at frontal passage.

Today's snow sluffs easily and runs far and fast, possibly on a density inversion mentioned in one observation.

Avalanche Conditions:

There were several avalanche accidents over the weekend. On Friday a boyscout troop was digging

snowcaves when a slide buried them under 5 feet of debris. They were all out and O.K. in 5 minutes, so I'm

guessing this was a terrain trap sort of incident where the slide did not travel far and the debris was loosely

packed. The rest of the accidents did not have happy endings. A snowmobiler was buried and killed in

Spring Canyon in Summit County yesterday. Another snowmobiler is presumed dead in Pleasant Creek

in San Pete County, this accident occurred on Saturday. In Montana four snowmobilers died in two

different avalanche accidents yesterday. The avalanche warning remains in effect for most Utah mountains, including the northern, central and southeastern mountains and the Wasatch Plateau. There is a

high danger of human triggered avalanches on slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. This means that

both human triggered and natural, spontaneous avalanches are likely both in and around steep terrain.

People without well developed avalanche and route finding skills should avoid backcountry travel. Stay

away from steep terrain, including steep sided gullies and streambeds. Stay well out from under steep

slopes and avalanche runout zones. Yesterday, explosive control work released many huge avalanches with

some releasing sympathetically at long distances, showing that the weak faceted layer near the ground is

still quite sensitive. The additional load of new snow today should cause another avalanche cycle. Paths

that have already slid may be ready to slide again. The snowpack: There is stout rain crust below about

7,500' that could provide a slippery bed surface in the future. There are several weak layers with in the

snow that has fallen in the past week, usually located between storms. Closest to the surface there is the

large graupel that came down saturday, which has been pooling in lower angle terrain below steep slopes

and below cliffs. There is a light density layer of snow mixed with graupel buried anywhere from 1-3' deep

in the pack. Then of course there is the old faceted snow near the ground that produces huge, far-running

slides.

Mountain weather:

Tonight several more inches (3-6) should stack up, especially in NW flow favored areas like LCC. Winds

will be around 15 to 20 mph from the NW tonight and only 10 to 15 tomorrow. The 8,000' low will be

around 10 degrees tonight. Tomorrow will be showery with accumulation around 2 to 4 inches.

Wednesday we should see a break with more snow possible on thursday.

If you see anything we should know about please leave a message on our answer machine at 524-5304 or

1-800-662-4140. For more detailed information call 364-1591. -To find out where the Wasatch Powderbird

Guides will be skiing and to get their schedule, call 521-6040 x 5280. -Comments on the scoping notice

analyzing the impacts of issuing a new 5-year permit to WPG need to be received by the SL Ranger

District by Jan 30, 1998. The information contained in this bulletin is from the U.S. Forest Service which

is solely responsible for its content. This information describes general avalanche conditions, local

variations always occur. Bruce will update this bulletin by 7:30 Tuesday morning. Thanks for calling.

Shaw
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Annual Report - 1997-98

41

Example of a Mountain Weather Forecast

 ****MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST**** UTAH AVALANCHE FORECAST CENTER

 Sunday February 8, 1998, 1330 hrs

The mountains are currently recieving snow at rates of about 1" per hour, with locally heavier

showers. Additional snow this afternoon should be in the 3-6" range. A shortwave will turn the

flow to WNW around 5 pm this afternoon kicking in snow showers again, mainly early this

evening. After that showers should taper off as we begin to lose moisture. Another wave in the

flow will produce mountain snow early in the day tomorrow, then decreasing in anticyclonic flow

as the ridge begins to build in. Extended: A dirty ridge Tuesday with warm overrunning gives

the mountains another chance of light, scattered snow. The med-range models show another

splitting trof on Wednesday, with a chance of snow in the mountains.

Today Tonight Tomorrow Tom.Nite

Free air (700 mb)

Wind Direction SW>W NW NW W

Wind Speed (mph) 30>20 201 5-20 10-15

Temperature (F) 18 14 14 10

8,000' Temperature 27 22 25 18

Cloud Cover Ovc Ovc Ovc/PC Ovc

Wx S S- S- SRain/Snow line dropping to valley------>

Snow Density 7% --->

Lightning 10%

Quantitative Precipitation Guesstimate (Inches of snow)

Today Tonight Tomorrow Tom.Nite

Logan Mountains 4-8 1-3 all areas:

Powder Mountain 4-8 2-5 2-3" Mon.

Snowbasin 4-8 1-3 morning

Canyons Resort 4-8 2-4

Park City/D Valley 4-8 1-3

Solitude/Brighton 6-9 2-5

Snowbird/Alta 6-9 2-5

Sundance 4-8 1-3

Ciliberti