Avalanche — Copper River Basin, Alaska

1999-04-29 · Copper River Basin, Alaska

Event narrative

A slow moving slab avalanche swept Canadian mountaineer off a 20 to 30 degree slope and over a 1,000 to 1,500 foot drop. Slab apparently let go about 7 am Thursday, and was about 100 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Temperature at the time at altitude was about 5 degrees Fahrenheit and wind was calm. The 10,000 foot peak where the accident occurred is unofficially named "Ultima Thule" by locals located in the University range southeast of Glennallen.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5687922. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.