Date of Observation: 01/08/2022
Name: Eric Murrow
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Standard up-track on Mount Emmons to summit. Descended glades to the gravel pit.
Observed avalanche activity: No
Avalanches: none
Weather: Light to moderate snowfall from 11 – 130. Around 130 precip rates increased noticeably to the S2-S3 range. New snow accumulations ~8 inches at 11,500′ around 230 (I expect several more inches accumulated after I left). Winds remained light with some moderate gusts below treeline, but above treeline westerly winds increased to moderate speeds with a few strong gusts. Observed drifting snow above treeline.
Snowpack: Above treeline westerly winds drifted snow into soft slabs on east and southeast features. I was able to find drifts up to 18″ thick immediately below small cornices and I was able to produce cracking up to 15 feet. Visibility was extremely poor so I wasn’t able to decipher how extensive drifting was further downslope. Near treeline features in this area revealed far less drifting than above treeline.
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- Cracks shooting up to 15 feet on drifted, southeast terrain. Drifts up to 18″ thick were observed but could not see how far downslope drifts extended.
