Date of Observation: 01/02/2022
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Baldy above Schofield Pass
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Several destructive avalanches from 12/31 cycle, generally D3 to D4, on east to northeast aspects.
Location: Mount Baldy
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: E
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Hard Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
Relative Size: R4 large
Destructive Size: D4 – could destroy a railcar, large truck, buildings, or swaths of forest
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Nirvana Bowl. Debris filled East River gulch and crossed Schofield Pass Road.
Location: Mount Baldy
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Within storm snow
Relative Size: R2 small
Destructive Size: D2.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Quigley basin. Looks like a big storm slab
Location: Mount Baldy
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: E
Trigger:
Trigger modifier:
Type: Hard Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
Relative Size: R2 small
Destructive Size: D3 – could destroy a car, wood-frame house, or snap trees
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: A relatively small crown in Gnarnia Bowl that ran far, entrained a lot. Crown wrapped E to NE aspect.
Location: Mount Baldy
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Hard Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
Relative Size: R4 large
Destructive Size: D3.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Above Emerald Lake (Emerald Couloir and adjacent terrain)
Location: Mount Baldy
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Unknown
Failure Plane: Unknown
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):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Emerald Bowl. Bits of old crown and debris, estimating it ran 12/30.
