Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 01/12/2019
Name: Irwin Guides Rec. Level 1 Avalanche Course
Subject: Observations from the base of Avery Peak
Aspect: West
Elevation: 9,600-10,000′
Avalanches:
We did not observe avalanches today, but saw several size 1-2 pockets on steep convex slopes on east through northeast aspects that probably ran early in the week. Additionally, one larger avalanche on the north side of Mt. Gothic looked to be 4-5 days old (Size 2-3). Our groups experienced several large collapses while traveling in the valley bottoms as well as on west facing slopes. No shooting cracks were observed. Our group skied short slopes up to 25 degrees.
Weather: Overcast, light snow, little to no wind. Temps in the 20’s. Skies cleared toward the end of the afternoon.
Snowpack: Hs ranged from 80-130cm. Ski pen 20 cm, Boot pen 50 cm. Snowpack structure was overall weak. Several column tests on low angle slopes displayed sudden collapse fracture characteristics with moderate loading steps 40-60 cm down. At least one buried surface hoar layer (~ 20 cm down) displayed sudden planer fractures during shovel tilt tests.
Photos: