Name: Peter Richmond
Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 01/03/2015
Aspect: North East
Elevation: 10, 600
Avalanches: Yes, one large slide, after ski cut, skier traversed out of slide, the area was in the glades at the very top of slope that progressed to open area, traveled 500 ft, crown was 2-3 ft, 200 ft across at largest area, debris pile 250 ft across 5-10ft deep, broke trees 8” in diameter,
Small slides in glades the entire way to the Gothic Road, Second slide propagated into exposed 34 degree slope, from tight trees, could have also buried skier in opening
Snowpack: Very unstable, it may have been an isolated area, but there were point releases all the way down to the Gothic Road in the glades (tight trees, pocket releases, around anchors), a little wind blown layer on top, facet layer 2-3 feet deep. 32-42 degree slope angles,
Most unstable snow pack I’ve skied Snodgrass in, probably been up there 30 times over 7 years.
No prior ski compaction
Uploads:
WP_20150103_007
WP_20150103_004