Provo

Avalanche problems

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  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Likely

  Size

  3

  Yesterday, ski area operations reported wind-drifted snow avalanches reactive to explosives. During a brief break before the last storm there were observations from the alpine terrain throughout the Provo region. Since then, we've had more snow and wind and I wouldn't trust a steep wind-loaded slope this soon after a loading event. Many of the crown faces from March 9's event may be filled back in, which would cause me to pause before travelling on or under steep wind-loaded slopes. The issue is that in a lot of places the stiffer wind-drifted snow from Friday's storm may be covered over by new snow.

  Photo from March 9 of a wind-drifted snow avalanche (Provo UDOT)

  Cornices are currently large and growing. Give cornices, and the edges of cornices a wide berth as they often break farther back than expected. Limit your exposure to slopes below cornices. Cornices are signs that a slope has been wind loaded and a cornice fall could trigger a larger slab of wind-drifted snow below.

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  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1

  Any steep slope or rocky cliff band will shed new snow with the first hint of warm March sun. This is of particular concern to ice-climbers and riders ascending or descending steep gullies. We had reports of a wet avalanche under an ice climb in Willard Canyon from a few days ago, and a close call with an ice climbing group in Santaquin Canyon from yesterday. We also had a report of a loose wet sluff out of Mt Olympus during a period of warming, which is all similar to what you might find in lower elevations in the Provo Area Mountains.

  There were reports of individuals travelling on the debris under the Bridal Veil falls avalanche and on debris in Aspen Grove. These may be people with limited avalanche education and they are in danger of falling ice or wet avalanches coming down the steep gullies. If you have friends or family who are getting into the mountains introduce them to Know Before You Go. KBYG a great resource to inform people about avalanche hazard in the mountains.

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  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  3

  Expect to see loose-dry avalanches on steep slopes during periods of higher snowfall rates.

  We have had a lot of snow over the last few weeks and there are areas where we are finding decomposing stellar crystals, buried ice crusts, rime crusts, and isolated areas of faceted snow buried 1-3' from the surface and it's a good reminder that strange weather (like above average snowfall) leads to strange avalanches. There is a possibility of triggering an isolated avalanche on a new/old snow interface that is buried 1-3' from the surface. The solar aspects, particularly southeasterly facing slopes are acting more like a northerly aspect.

  This avalanche in Big Springs is characteristic of the types of large avalanches you may find in isolated areas.