Date of Observation: 02/16/2023
Name: Ben Ammon
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Pearl Pass down to Friends Hut
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: 1x D1.5 windslab E aspect Star Peak ran during day 2/15 when winds were out of East (no pic, sorry)
1x D2.5 windslab that stepped down in the rocky break over in several spots, SE aspect of Carbonate (pic attached) Failed during the early AM hours of 2/16
1x D1 Glide slab just above East River, below 4th Bowl (one finally went! Pic attached)
Weather: 2/15 moderate winds out of the East all day, low to no vis, high temps below zero on Pearl Pass
2/16 strong NW winds starting shortly after dark on 2/15, tons of scouring and transport leaving every surface NTL/ATL wind affected, as well as any BTL area not in thick trees. Large plumes (see photo of Pearl Pass) and significant transport on all terrain in the zone (Pearl Pass, Star, Crystal, Carbonate, Timbered Hill) High temp of 4*F at Friends Hut
2/17 Subzero but calm (finally!) and warmed significantly during the day.
Snowpack: A variety of small windslabs that failed during the night of 2/15 or day of 2/16, generally SE aspects, the large Carbonate was the only one of note. Many were partially filled in by the time we made it out skiing on 2/16