Date of Observation: 12/31/2022
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Rec tour on Mt Emmons, mostly on SE aspects BTL
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: A pair of fresh large natural avalanches in Racoon Basin. There were small trees in the debris, and I’m guessing they broke on the mid December later based on crown size. One smaller slab that broke in the new snow on a drifted feature.
Weather: Moderate snowfall rates all morning with a few heavy pulses. Light to moderate snow transport at ridgetop
Snowpack: Top heavy 8” of storm snow produced clean shears. Moderate propagating test results below the mid December facet crust layer, about 70 cm deep. Got a few muffled collapses on that layer but still relatively quiet where we were (on low angle terrain). Slab is consolidating and getting noticeably denser compared to similar slopes yesterday.
Photos:
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Estimated avalanche date: 12/31/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: E
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
Size
Relative Size: R2 small
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: Trees in debris
Estimated avalanche date: 12/31/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Unknown
Size
Relative Size: R2 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: Either sympathetic or connected crowns. Flat light. Small trees in debris.
Estimated avalanche date: 12/31/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Within storm snow
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Wind slab
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