Date of Observation: 12/25/2021
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Viewed from afar from Mt. Crested Butte
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Numerous large avalanches on various aspects. I had good views of easterly and southerly aspects, but from afar. Sizes and avalanche type coded below are estimated from a distance, without clear views of runouts.
Photos:
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Several crowns on Bichmond
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Relatively small slides on Augusta
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Multiple large crowns on Bellview’s South and Southeast bowls
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Large crown, Rustler’s Gulch
Estimated avalanche date: 12/24/2021
Number of Avalanches: 2
Location
Location: Schofield Pass/Rustler Gulch
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R3 medium
Destructive Size: D3 – could destroy a car, wood-frame house, or snap trees
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Bellview and further up Rustler Gulch
Estimated avalanche date: 12/24/2021
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Schofield Pass/Rustler Gulch
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: S
Characteristics
Trigger:
Trigger modifier:
Type:
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R3 medium
Destructive Size: D2.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Bellview
Estimated avalanche date: 12/24/2021
Number of Avalanches: 3
Location
Location: Poverty Gulch (Pittsburg, Augusta, Baxter Basin)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger:
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D2 – could bury, injure, or kill a person
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Augusta and Bichmond
Estimated avalanche date: 12/24/2021
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Poverty Gulch (Pittsburg, Augusta, Baxter Basin)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: E
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R3 medium
Destructive Size: D2.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Bichmond
Estimated avalanche date: 12/24/2021
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Schofield Pass/Rustler Gulch
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier: Sympathetic
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R3 medium
Destructive Size: D2.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Bellview, probably triggered by overrunning avalanche from above treeline
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