Date of Observation: 02/26/2022
Name: Eric Murrow
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Valley bottom obs near Mount Emmons along the border of NW and SE mountain zones.
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Several large natural avalanches from around 2/23 – 2/24 in Wolverine Basin, Redwell, “The Shield”, and Red Ridge above East River Valley.
Weather: Clear skies, light westerly winds, seasonably cool temperatures.
Snowpack:
Photos:
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Two large naturals in Redwell Basin on Emmons that looked to have failed late in the storm. Surface textures indicate maybe two more slides that failed very early and mostly refilled.
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A couple naturals in Wolverine Basin zone on Mount Emmons.
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I think this is the first observation of an avalanche on a southwest-facing slope.
Estimated avalanche date: 02/24/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Other: Add text
Location Specific: Red Ridge above East River
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: SW
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very 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: One of the few SW ATL slides. Loading and avalanche patterns from the cycle make this slide fit outside the box.
Estimated avalanche date: 02/23/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific: Northerly side of Wolverine Basin and Redwell Basin
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: N
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very 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: Wolverine looks to be from earlier in storm 2/23 and Redwell looked fresher 2/24
Estimated avalanche date: 02/24/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific: The Shield
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D2.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Failed later in storm
Estimated avalanche date: 02/24/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific: Near switch back on Gunsight pass road near Wolverine Basin
Start Zone Elevation: BTL: Below Tree Line
Aspect: E
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very 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: Widely propagating slide on generally east slope
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