Date of Observation: 01/01/2023
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Mt. CB
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Brief visibility this morning of large to very large avalanches on Whetstone and Gothic.
Location: Mount Whetstone
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Hard Slab
Failure Plane: Ground
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: Barcelona Bowl. Size estimated, couldn’t see runout
Location: Mount Whetstone
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: E
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
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):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Baby Bowl. Size estimated, couldn’t see runout
Location: Gothic Mountain
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: E
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Old 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: Size estimated, couldn’t see runout and crown was obscured in flat light.
Location: Copper Creek
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
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):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Near Red Ridge
