Wind slabs

CB Avalanche Center2017-18 Observations

Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 02/07/2018
Name: Ben Pritchett

Subject: Wind slabs

Avalanches:

Several wind slab avalanches observed:
Gothic Mtn, West Face. Natural D2 off SW aspect, 12,200′.
Purple Mtn, East Face. Natural D2 off SE aspect, 12,600′.
Mt. Baldy, East FAce. Skier triggered D1 off E aspect, 12,400′.

Weather: Blustery. Above freezing in the valley floors, just below freezing up high. Efficient transport late morning through early afternoon.

Photos:

efficient loading on Gothic’s Northwest Face.

Winds ripping through the Kebler corridor drifted snow on Mt. Axtell.

Small skier triggered slide on Mt. Baldy.

Purple Mtn. wind slab, small end of D2.

Gothic Mtn. West Face, D2.