Date of Observation: 01/12/2023
Name: Evan Ross
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Mt Axtell
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: A very large avalanche in the Pencil, on Mt Axtell. It appears to have released on the weak layers near the bottom of the snowpack. Couldn’t see the avalanche debris, but given the size of the crown and the amount of snow entrained I’d estimate it was a D3.
Location: Mount Axtell
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: N
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Hard Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
Relative Size: R2 small
Destructive Size: D3 – could destroy a car, wood-frame house, or snap trees
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: A very large avalanche in the Pencil, on Mt Axtell. It appears to have released on the weak layers near the bottom of the snowpack. Couldn’t see the avalanche debris, but given the size of the crown and the amount of snow entrained I’d estimate it was a D3.
