Observer Name
Trenbeath
Observation Date
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Avalanche Date
Friday, February 20, 2026
Region
Moab » Gold Basin » Middle Cirque
Location Name or Route
Middle Cirque
Elevation
11,800'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
Unknown
Width
400'
Vertical
400'
Comments
This avalanche ran during the Feb 20 storm event that put down 14" of new snow capping off a week long storm event that totaled 18" at 1.2" SWE. Strong SW winds early in the cycle built pencil hard slabs 2'-3' thick on N and E aspects at treeline and above. These were resting on the previous week's 5" that preserved the Feb 11 faceted layer. Stability tests and an intentionally triggered slide early in the week indicate that failure first occurs on the Feb 11 weak layer before stepping down into facets beneath the Christmas Rain Crust and or going to the ground. This avalanche filled back in so it is impossible to say how deep it failed.
Coordinates
