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Avalanche: Provo

Observer Name
Nalli
Observation Date
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Avalanche Date
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Region
Provo
Location Name or Route
Snow Slide Jr.
Elevation
6,100'
Aspect
Northwest
Slope Angle
37°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
15"
Width
30'
Vertical
500'
Comments

This slide occurred mid day during a period of very high PI. It crossed the Provo Canyon bike trail and hit the Provo River.

Comments

I was in Provo in the morning and late in the day, and in LCC mid day. Everywhere I walked, I experienced collapsing and cracking on all aspects and elevations. The balance has been tipped today and I expect there was a widespread natural cycle. In Grizzly Gulch we saw naturals just after they happened on the steep N facing Patsy Marley ridgeline as the wind and precip picked up around noon. Attached is a photo of a test slope that collapsed and propagated 60'. Most everything was failing at the extremely weak facets at or just above the ground. This problem is not going away any time soon and I expect to see many repeater slides.

Coordinates