Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 02/17/2018
Name: Ian HAVLICK
Subject: Mount Emmons
Aspect: East, South East, South, South West
Elevation: 9300-12300
Avalanches:
Examined the cornice triggered avalanche from yesterday’s near miss. Party was very very lucky the outcome was not worse. Cornice broke large, and propagated a good chunk of extreme terrain, cliffs and trees and on apron, released 60cm slab failing below 4cm 1F+ windboard on small grained facets.
Also looked at large avalanche in Wolverine basin, propagating into treed terrain. (HS-N-R2D2.5-O). Impressive.
Weather: Mostly clear, light west winds above treeline. Temperatures remained cold above treeline, but low elevations did feel mild today.
Snowpack: Snow coveraged has increased from recent snow, but strong winds have kept above treeline slopes wind scoured. Residual windslabs from last 48-72hrs appeared to be healing, and generally unreactive in terrain travelled today. One profile in very weak spot in Red Lady Bowl revealed poor structure, and test columns failing on isolation twice (ECTV x2), and one ECTP16 SC. Two propagation saw tests on basal facets failed repeatedly at PST20/100end on November/early December depth hoar. zDug in very weak spot near cliffs with both crust facet combinations in midpack and 3-4mm DH near rocky ground HS 80cm. Did not dig in bowl proper, but would expect slightly better structure and depth.
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