Avalanche: Provo 12/13/2009

Observer Name: 
Nalli
Observation Date: 
12/13/2009
Occurrence Date: 
12/13/2009
Occurrence Time: 
11:30am
Region: 
Provo
Location Name: 
Snow Slide Jr.
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Location

40° 21' 3.3372" N, 111° 34' 39.8964" W
Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
6100'
Aspect: 
Northwest
Slope Angle: 
37
Trigger: 
Natural
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Weak Layer: 
Facets
Depth (avg): 
15"
Width: 
30'
Vertical: 
500'
General 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. 

2009-12-13 Snow Slide Jr. 1.jpg
General Comments 2
2009-12-13 Snow Slide Jr. 2.jpg
General Comments 3

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.

2009-12-13 Grizzly.jpg
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