Date of Observation: 12/11/2021
Name: Evan Ross
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Huge thanks to West Elk Air for getting the CBAC team views of the carnage. These photos are from the Mt. Emmons and Snodgrass area.
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: The avalanche activity was much harder to see in the SE Mountains, compared to the NW Mountains. The avalanche activity in the SE Mountains was less widespread, smaller in size, and often hidden by wind-loading or additional snow after the storm.
The primary avalanche activity was on NE at all elevations. East, had activity at near and above treeline elevations and some suspicious-looking slopes below treeline but nothing that could be confirmed at that elevation.
South had activity above treeline, but again far less than the NW Mountains. I suspect that was to do with more south-facing slopes in this area having been dry before this storm.
West and North aspects were well shaded. If there was avalanche activity on those aspects, it couldn’t be confirmed on this flight.
Weather:
Snowpack:
Photos:
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Happy Chutes
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Climax
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Coon Basin
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Snodgrass
Estimated avalanche date: 12/11/2021
Number of Avalanches: 5
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: BTL: Below Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R2 small
Destructive Size: D1.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Happy chutes and lower Climax.
Estimated avalanche date: 12/11/2021
Number of Avalanches: 4
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
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: Climax
Estimated avalanche date: 12/11/2021
Number of Avalanches: 3
Location
Location: Snodgrass
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: BTL: Below Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type:
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R2 small
Destructive Size: D1.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Snoddgrass. billy bar’s camera.
Estimated avalanche date: 12/11/2021
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: E
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type:
Failure Plane:
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: Coon Bowl
Estimated avalanche date:
Number of Avalanches:
Location
Location:
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation:
Aspect:
Characteristics
Trigger:
Trigger modifier:
Type:
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size:
Destructive Size:
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments:
5076
