Location: Kebler Pass Area
Date of Observation: 12/23/2017
Name: Eric Murrow
Subject: Athracites
Aspect: North, North East
Elevation: 10,000 – 11,500
Avalanches:
We triggered several small, very soft slabs (3 x SS-AS-R1-D1) they ran more or less like loose sloughs. Propagation was only about 20 feet. I was not able to investigate crowns but they appeared to be around 6 inches deep, likely failing within the new snow (see photo). One other triggered slide (I couldn’t see crown) was believed to be closer to 12 inches deep as described by person that released it.
Weather: Overcast all day. Light snow most of the day, s-1. A short period, about 10am to noon, of s1,s2 snowfall rates. Winds were light for most of the day with very little transport. At around 330pm, the winds noticeably ramped up to 20+mph. Winds out of NW. At 445pm winds were actively blowing snow out of seven bowl and into upper parts of east bowl. Snowmos accumulated 3.5” of snow from 10:15 to 4:45.
Snowpack: New snow accumulations since Wednesday night were between 8 and 12 inches. New snow had yet to form a slab. Did notice a slight storm density change about 5 inches down.
Photos:
