Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 76 m
- Trigger Type
- Natural
- Slab Thickness
- 183 cm
- Start Zone Aspect
- Southeast
- Start Zone Elevation
- 3322 m
Early Friday I noticed a fresh avalanche track in upper Dry Creek Bowl. Despite fairly flat light I could make out a crown
fracture approx. 6' high and at least 250' long. It broke just East of Everest Ridge in the leeward deeper snow. This altitude and area didn't melt off after the early season snow. So, I suspect it broke at the Persistant Weak Layer. Upslope, a lot of areas were scoured by wind this last week to expose the surface rocks. The track ran downslope, maybe around 40 yards wide, curving to the west. The track was visible to 9800' but, I couldn't see any sign that it made it as far as the Great Western Trail.
At 4900' in the north end of Provo, it didn't cool off enough for more than the lightest skiff of snow near dawn. Scanning Timp, I was impressed at how the rock-faces were plastered by ice. This was apparent at higher altitudes. I'm thinking that it was surprisingly slushy and windy up high. The added weight likely triggered the Persistant Weak Layer failure. Also leaving an ice-crust layer that will play a role in the future.
Timp has stayed pretty socked-in most of the day.