Irwin Tenure

CBAC2014-15 Observations

For P.M. Forms
Day H2D/W HN24/W HST/W HS
Last Night 9”/.425 13”/.625 18”/1.075 38
Today tr 16” 36 

No signs of instability aside from small pocket in Way Long.  No cracking, No Collapses.  No sluffs even!  Will be interesting to see in days to come if slab becomes more reactive as slab consolidates…test pit in shade of Knob Steep produced no results in ECT.

Read More

Schuykill Ridge

CBAC2014-15 Observations

Observer: Donny Roth
Date: 2014-12-15
Location: Schuylkill Ridge
Elevation: 9000′ to 11,422′
Aspect: E to NE

Weather: Clear, Calm and 15 to 20F

Snowpack/Avalanche Obs: HS 90cm (max), Ski Pen 20 to 30 cm (off skin track), Boot Pen 70cm, 15 to 20 cm of new snow, very low density, mostly in tact dendrites, the mid-pack is stiffer in isolated areas but mostly the snowpack was new snow on top of facets.  First run in “Thanksgiving” produced significant sloughing, which slowed as angle of slope decreased – it didn’t go far.  Second run on “Lost Ski” (?) didn’t produce any activity at all.  The lower slopes (below 10,000′) seemed to be the “slabbiest” – obviously a product of down valley winds.

Red Lady Glades

CBAC2014-15 Observations

Observer: Ross (Irwin Guides)
Date: 12/14/14
Location: Red Lady Glades
Elevation: 12400-9400
Aspect: SW

Weather: Overcast ovc, snowing lightly S1 in the morning. S2 afternoon. Moderate winds from the W.

Snowpack/Avalanche Obs: From the Emmons summit we skied towards Evans basin on a thin wind blown surface. 10 to 20cm deep. on a mixture of wind a sun crusts. In the shaded timber 15-20cm of new snow lays on a facet base and in the sunny areas the new snow rests on sun crusts. No activity seen throughout the day from ski cuts and no results from hand sheers. Not enough snow for CT or ECT’s

Kebler Pass Area

CBAC2014-15 Observations

Name: Irwin Snow Cat Operation
Location: Irwin
Date of Observation: 12/14/2014

South: New snow not slabbed up and bonding well to Dec 13 crust.  A few small sluffs from steeper entrances running within the top of the new snow and not entraining the snow on the crust.  Where new snow is on top of old facets (in the shade) not as good bonding seen with a few quick hand shears.

West: 13:30 – Starting to slab up a little bit, a few cracks only going 5-8’ in front of skis and only 15cm down. No significant signs of instability or avalanches.

Crested Butte Area

CBAC2014-15 Observations

Name: Avalanche level 1 class
Location: Wolverine Glade
Elevation: 9,000-10,700
Aspect: NE

Weather: Mostly cloudy with some flurries (S-1) through the day. Light to moderate WNW winds were strong enough to drift the new snow. Cold temps.

Snowpack: 2″ of new snow and still not a slab problem to be found at these elevations. The snowpack is completely rotten and in poor shape. Small loose snow avalanches were the only problem on high 30 degree terrain.

Crested Butte Area

CBAC2014-15 Observations

Name: Level 1 Avalanche Class
Date of Observation: 12/13/2014
Aspect: North East, East, Southwest
Elevation: BTL

Weather: Few clouds midday becoming overcast in the afternoon. Calm winds and warm temps. Gusty winds and and S-1 grapple started around sunset.

Snowpack: We were hunting slabs in the area and the slabs where all faceted out. One group did find a 4f-1f midpack on an isolated wind roll. Otherwise on NE/E aspects the HS was about 40cm on average and all facets. In the bottom 2/3 of the snowpack the 1-4mm facets have gained some strength and are 4f- in hardness. SW aspects consisted of a thick crust over F hard facets. On all aspects toured SH was living large unless it was on steep enough southern aspects to be melted by the sun.

Mount Emmons 12.11.14

CBAC2014-15 Observations

Name: Irwin Guides (CBMG)
Location: Red Lady Glades
Elevation: 9200-1200
Aspect: SW
Weather: Sunny blue bird, no wind or precip

Snowpack/Avalanche Obs: Snow at lower elevations is a mixed bag of melt freeze sun crust and powdery snow ranging in depth from 10-20cm. One collapse was observed at 12000 at the goal posts. No instabilities seen. The glades have a sun crust on W and south facing slopes that moistened throughout the day. Shaded areas have powdery snow. Variable depth of snow averaging at about 30cm at mid to upper elevations. Surface hoar in shaded areas. Thin pack towards the bottom.

Redwell Basin

CBAC2014-15 Observations

Observer: Ross (Irwin Guides)
Date: 12/10/14
Location: Redwell Basin
Elevation: 12400-8900
Aspect: N
Weather: Sunny mid 30’s no precip or wind, strong solar

Snowpack/Avalanche Obs: From Kebler trail head the snow pack is thin and variable. On the south and south west aspects there is a sun crust that is somewhat supportable. Snow depths range from 10 to 20cm. Still powdery in the shaded areas. As you gain in elevation the snow depth increases with moist surface snow on sunny south facing aspects. At higher elevations 11500 wind scouring has reduced snow amounts to 10cm. Pockets of drifted snow exists in sheltered areas.

Redwell basin at 12300 has a week faceted snowpack especially around the rock bands. A slight wind crust exists at higher elevations and decreases as you drop in elevation. Snow depths range from 30cm to 50cm. No instabilities seen. At lower elevations the snow pack is week and shallow and through the waterfall section of redwell stumps and rocks are covered by 20cm of week faceted snow. At the bottom of redwell……its damm scary!!

November 26th, 2014

CBACWeather

24 Hour Weather Outlook

Weather Discussion: Since yesterday, 2-4” of additional snow fell around area bringing the prolonged storm totals to 15-20” of snow since Saturday, with 1.5 to 1.8” of water equivalent. Westerly winds have continued to remain elevated, with most remote weather stations showing gusts in the 25 mph range over the last 24 hours. Today, snow showers will gradually diminish by early afternoon as high pressure works into the area today, and takes hold through the weekend.

High Temperature: 25-30º
Wind Speed (mph):10 – 20 mph
Wind Direction: West
Sky Cover: Overcast becoming clear
Snow (in): Trace-1″

48 Hour Weather Outlook

Weather Outlook: The extended outlook looks mild and sunny through Thanksgiving, but another Pacific storm is taking shape and could bring another round of significant snow early next week.

Tomorrows Temperatures: 20-25º
Tomorrows Wind Speeds (mph): 5-15 mph
Tomorrows Wind Directions: W
Tomorrows Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
Tomorrows Snow (in):0″