Wash Gulch

CB Avalanche Center2020-21 Observations

Date of Observation: 03/20/2021
Name: Cam Smith

Zone: Southeast Mountains
Location:
Aspect: South, West
Elevation:

Avalanches: 1x Wet slab on a W facing BTL slope that seemed to gouge to the ground and ran a surprising distance down a gulley. Maybe 100 ft. wide and ran ~1,000 ft. I like to think it was animal triggered based on the tracks going in then tracks coming out in a lower spot. But that might just be me believing what I want to believe for the sake of drama. (CBAC Note: Comparing some old observations this looks like the crown of an old avalanche reported in February that has a more melted out and wet appearance now. Guess it needs to snow more…)

Weather: Wasn’t the scorcher we expected in the morning

Snowpack: Crusts weren’t quite frozen solid on some lower angle slopes and places with any hint of shade. Loose wet activity on S and W faces of Gothic above treeline. If you dig skiing bulletproof crusts let me know I have all kinds of secrets for finding the least pleasant conditions.

Photos: