Red Coon Storm Day

CB Avalanche Center2018-19 Observations

Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 01/06/2019
Name: Eric Murrow

Subject: Red Coon Storm Day
Aspect: North, North East, South East, South
Elevation: 9,300′ – 11,600′

Avalanches:  While at ridgetop near treeline stomping around the edge of a N – NE facing drifted slope was able to trigger two avalanches. The first was N facing that only involved storm snow, fairly thin at only 6″ deep, D1. The second was higher up at a location that receives efficient drifting that was up to 14″ deep, small portion in center stepped down another 8 or 10″. See the pictures below.

Weather: Snowfall rates were generally s1 with periods of s2 before 1pm. Winds were light at valley bottom in the morning with a gradual increase during ascent to moderate at treeline. Transport and fresh cornice formation observed.

Snowpack: When new snow reached about 6 inches very minor cracking started to appear, very slight Storm Slab formation in top two or three inches of storm snow on southerly slopes near and below treeline. At ridge top found drifts up to 18 inches deep. At 11,600′ @ about 2pm HST reached 8.5″ with .55SWE.

Photos: