Avy Obs

CB Avalanche Center2015-16 Observations

Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 12/23/2015
Name: CBPSP
Subject: Avy Obs
Aspect: North, West
Elevation: 11,000′

Avalanches: Monument-SS-ASu-R2-D2.5-O
West Wall-SS ASc-R2-D2-O
Forest-SS-AE-R1-D1.5-O(Multiple)
Big Hole-SS-N-R2-D2-O
Horse shoe-SS-N-R1-D1-O
Weather: Slight clearing after first wave of storm w/moderate wind from the west,
Snowpack: HS of 47″ storm total of 27″ on the morning of the 23rd . W and N aspects that have not been boot packed, and have had moderate patrol traffic(including ski cuts and explosives work). Initial hand charges have not been as effective as ski cuts. On the 22nd there were multiple slides triggered after explosives w/ ski cuts running on an old snow interface at the ground. There was no cohesion in the snow pack but there was propagation up to 200′. ON the 23rd the wind had created more of a to slab on leeward aspects and become more reactive to explosives and ski cuts, but still more reactive to ski cuts in general.