Date of Observation: 12/09/2021
Name: Joey Carpenter
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Toured up the ‘normal’ Coneys skinner until the downed trees became unbearable then traversed out onto what was (a few days ago) the bare side of Convex Corner.
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Was able to get one small pocket to pull out via ski cut on the far right edge of photo. <TL-NE-SS-ASi-R1D1. About 50 feet wide and ran around 20 feet.
Weather: Relatively warm, light to no precip from 6:30a-8a while I was out. Light winds from the W at ridge top, calm below. Overcast.
Snowpack: ~8 inches of new snow from yesterday/last night. On the sunny side sitting on the ground and in shaded areas sits on a rotten base that varies in depth up to an additional 7-8 inches (estimated). Several small whumpfs and associated cracking while traveling through undisturbed areas where base snow was present. Storm snow hadn’t gained enough slab structure yet to release with much energy, which will quickly change as this second pulse of snow comes this afternoon.
Photos:
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[accordion_item title=”Avalanche Report #1″ parent_id=”my-accordion” open=”false”]Estimated avalanche date: 12/09/2021
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Washington Gulch (Elkton, Coneys, Meridian Lake)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: BTL: Below Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Skier
Trigger modifier: Controlled
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: New/Old interface
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches): 8-10
Avg. width (feet): 50
Avg. vertical run (feet): 20
Involvements
# of people caught: 0
# of partial burials: 0
# of full burials: 0
Additional comments:
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