Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 137 m
- Weak Layer
- Facets
- Vertical Fall
- 533 m
- Avalanche Type
- Hard Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 107 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- West
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2835 m
This slide was human triggered from near the top of the slope.
Forecaster Drew Hardesty and ski partner Zack Little went to investigate this very close call of an avalanche. This avalanche failed on a thick (~20cm) weak faceted snow below some crustst in a thinner snowpack area on a very steep west facing slope. This structure has not been noted as representative of most of the terrain in Provo and yet exposed, wind stripped west facing slopes can pose problems, particularly when subsequently wind loaded. The total depth of the snowpack at this location was only 55-65" (at 9300') whereas we have weather stations at 8250' and 8800' with 125" and 144" snow depths in Provo.