Observer Name
Caroline Gleich
Observation Date
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Avalanche Date
Friday, October 6, 2017
Region
Provo » Mt Nebo
Location Name or Route
Mt. Nebo northerly aspects
Elevation
11,400'
Aspect
North
Slope Angle
45°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
Unknown
Width
Unknown
Vertical
Unknown
Comments
This weekend we decided to do a fall hike up to Mt. Nebo. I was curious to see some fall colors and observe how much snow was remaining at the highest elevations. As we approached the summit ridge, we found 6” of snow on the northerly aspects with more in places with wind loading. We observed 4 natural or animal triggered slides, with large debris piles 1500’ below the starting zones. We weren’t able to get close to the crowns but I would imagine they were failing on depth hoar. Wind was causing rapid loading, so I imagine there are more suspect layers up high. Clouds moved in so we were not able to get very good images. The bottom line is: The upper elevation, north facing snow is deep and widespread, it’s very unlikely that it will melt anytime soon, and I would imagine it’s going to haunt us as a weak layer for weeks and months to come. I’m going to be paying close attention to where the snow is remaining before it snows again, and I will be taking detailed photos for future reference.
