Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 11/24/2018
Name: Aaron Peterson
Subject: Cracking Convexities at Coney’s
Aspect: North East
Elevation: 9,500- 10,300’
Avalanches:
We did not venture into steeper terrain to investigate any further. Soft slabs were readily apparent and shifting on 25* slopes. It seemed likely for them to propagate on anything steeper.
Weather: 900am – 1200pm. Overcast, calm, high 20s. Light snow, S -1 to S1, changing to light graupel by late morning.
Snowpack: We noted collapsing and shooting cracks along the skin track at valley bottom, 9,500’, with a layer of very weak facets at ground level. Slightly better cohesion was apparent on open, low-angle, NE facing slopes just below 10,000’. As we ascended through the trees to 10,300’, widespread shooting cracks and collapsing returned. These were especially reactive on any convex terrain features over 20*. A soft crust was apparent roughly 10cm/4” down, however most activity seemed to happen on the faceted snow at ground level. Average snow depth in the trees at this elevation was around 60cm.
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