East River

CB Avalanche Center2015-16 Observations

Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 12/29/2015
Name: Zach Guy
Subject: East River
Aspect: North East, East, South East
Elevation: 9000-9,600 ft

Avalanches: About 10 natural avalanches observed in this area from recent cycle on SE, E, NE aspects. SS-N-R2-D1.5-O.
Weather:
Snowpack: Short tour, got 2 large, rumbling collapses in flat terrain and numerous localized collapses. Persistent slab is thinner here, 14-18″ on average. Supportive on skis but easy to penetrate through to weak layer. Seems like propagation potential only exists where slab is a little thicker or stiffer, otherwise collapses wouldn’t carry across slope as slab fractured in thin spots.