Date of Observation: 03/29/2021
Name: Jack Caprio
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Location: Mount Emmons
Aspect: North, North East, East
Elevation: 9k-12.5k
Avalanches: Small wet loose activity on east-facing slopes of all elevations. SW and W facing slopes had more wet loose activity below treeline due to winds keeping alpine surfaces cool. NE below treeline got in on the action too in the happy chutes (see photo).
Weather: Few clouds. Warm temps below treeline. The alpine was very breezy with consistent moderate SW winds along with strong gusts.
Snowpack: Isolated 2-5 inch wind pockets on NE and E facing terrain near ridgeline. Previous tracks from yesterday in a steep alpine chute had been erased overnight due to wind-loading. Although the wind slabs were very small, it was still enough of an issue for us to avoid a very steep, exposed, slightly cross-loaded chute. We chose to descend a steep, planar north-facing slope away from any ribs or other features prone to cross-loading. There were no signs of instability on our descent.
The snow stayed dry on due north slopes. Below treeline NE-E facing slopes became moist by early afternoon as expected.
Photos:
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- Wet loose slide in Happy chutes (NE) due to warming rockband
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- W facing below treeline wet loose slide
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- Large Cornice Chunk that likely failed on Sunday 3/28 triggered wet loose slide in Coon Basin
