Date of Observation: 05/10/2023
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Copper Creek area
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Numerous previously undocumented D2 to D3 wet slabs likely ran during our April 9 to April 13 wet cycle. I coded their failure dates during the peak of the cycle 4/10 – 4/11, although I suspect activity was distributed across a wider date range than that.
Photos:
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D3 wet debris near Peak 13043. Not sure if this was a wet slab or wet loose.
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Wet slabs near Peak 13043.
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Wet slabs near Peak 12366
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Near Peak 12366. Appeared to be a wet loose that triggered a wet slab.
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Wet slabs below SW Ridge of Whiterock
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Wet slab and wet loose below Peak 12487 (near Copper Pass)
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Wet slab below SW Ridge of Whiterock
Estimated avalanche date: 04/11/2023
Number of Avalanches: 2
Location
Location: Copper Creek
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SW
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet 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: Failure date estimated, likely between 4/9 and 4/13
Estimated avalanche date: 04/11/2023
Number of Avalanches: 2
Location
Location: Copper Creek
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: S
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet 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: Failure date estimated, likely between 4/9 and 4/13
Estimated avalanche date: 04/11/2023
Number of Avalanches: 3
Location
Location: Copper Creek
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
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: Failure date estimated, likely between 4/9 and 4/13
Estimated avalanche date: 04/10/2023
Number of Avalanches: 2
Location
Location: Copper Creek
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
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: Failure date estimated, likely between 4/9 and 4/13
Estimated avalanche date: 04/10/2023
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Copper Creek
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: S
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Unknown
Failure Plane: Old snow
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: Either a wet loose or wet slab. Failure date estimated, likely between 4/9 and 4/13
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