Location: Paradise Divide Area
Date of Observation: 03/17/2019
Name: Evan Ross
Subject: Richmond, Handcock, And Some Loose WetsÂ
Elevation: 9,500-12,400
Avalanches:
The natural Loose Wet avalanche cycle is mostly confined to SE-SW. While E and W aspects are starting to produce more natural Loose Wet avalanches and have become a concern for skier triggering. These loose wet avalanches may be powerful given the type, but are easy to manage or know when to avoid. Mostly D1.5’s with a few D2’s. With Continued heating NE slopes may become more of a concern. Saw most of the Loose Wet avalanche activity at near and above treeline elevations.
Weather: Clear, beautiful and sunburnt with calm winds.
Snowpack: The quiet snowpack continues. Managing thin snowpack spots, overhead cornice hazard and loose wet avalanches. The upper snowpack is showing runnels on southerly slopes as water starts to drain through the upper snowpack. These were seen up to 12,000ft. Water had wetted the 3/11 curst down 45cms on the one southerly slope checked at 11,000ft
Photos:
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- Classic, overhead hazzard
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- Example of runnels in the upper snowpack
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- A large wet avalanche in the background. Easterly slope.
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- Small loose wet avalanches from yesterday on a westerly aspect
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- The small skier triggered avalanche from yesterday. South aspect
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- Looking Good
