Date of Observation: 04/09/2022
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Traveled on NE to SE aspects on Mt. Afley to 12,600 ft this morning, and a brief bino tour along Kebler Pass Road mid day.
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Counted a handful of small wet loose avalanches on easterly aspects, a few of which ran yesterday and a few more that ran today, all D1 in size. See photos.
Weather: Thin cloud cover began filling in over the Ruby Range by late morning, with cloud cover holding off a little longer over the Anthracites and Axtell. Moderate westerly ridgetop winds. Warm temps.
Snowpack: Weaker overnight refreeze that was punchy to boot pen (~10″) on a number of slopes but still supportive to skis. We found ideal corn skiing on SE aspects at 10:30 a.m. By 11 a.m, ski pen was increasing to 5″ or 6″ in wet snow on east facing terrain near treeline. The arrival of thicker clouds by noon seemed to help moderate surface melt. Northeast aspects got moist in the upper 6″ or so, and produced a few small wet loose slides while most slopes on that aspect were too roughed up by previous winds to do much.
Photos:
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[accordion_item title=”Avalanche Report #1″ parent_id=”my-accordion” open=”false”]Estimated avalanche date: 04/09/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Axtell
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: BTL: Below Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet Loose
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Axtell 2nd Bowl
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Estimated avalanche date: 04/09/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Anthracite Range
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet Loose
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Northwest Bowl
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Estimated avalanche date: 04/09/2022
Number of Avalanches: 2
Location
Location: Anthracite Range
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: E
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet Loose
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: East Bowl
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Estimated avalanche date: 04/08/2022
Number of Avalanches: 3
Location
Location: Lake Irwin (Robinson Basin, Owen, Ruby)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet Loose
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Purple Peak
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Estimated avalanche date: 04/08/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Schuylkill Ridge
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Wet Loose
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size:
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments:
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