Date of Observation: 01/13/2022
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Rec tour on Owen. NE to E to SE aspects up to 13,000 ft
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Nothing new. A couple of previously undocumented slides from the last cycle; could only see debris piles. Details below.
Weather: Increasing thin clouds. Warm temps, light winds.
Snowpack: We assessed 2” to 4” hard wind drifted slabs near ridgetop that appeared to be bonding well; unreactive to ski cuts. No signs of instability in steep terrain. Surfaces are wind affected above treeline after yesterday’s winds.
Photos:
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Destructive debris pile below the NW face of Owen
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Downed trees and debris on a small slope leading into Silver Basin
Estimated avalanche date: 12/31/2021
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Anthracite Creek (West side of Ruby Range, Marcellina)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NW
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Hard Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow
Size
Relative Size: R4 large
Destructive Size: D3 – could destroy a car, wood-frame house, or snap trees
Avg. crown height (inches):
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Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
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Additional comments: Silver Basin, northwest side of Owen. Lots of broken trees and trimmed branches. Could only see debris
Estimated avalanche date: 12/31/2021
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Anthracite Creek (West side of Ruby Range, Marcellina)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: BTL: Below Tree Line
Aspect: N
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Unknown
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R4 large
Destructive Size: D2.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
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Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Silver Basin. Could have been sympathetic with the larger Owen slide. Could only see debris
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# of full burials:
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