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Crested Butte Avalanche Center

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March 11, 2022

Natural activity on Axtell, Emmons, and Scarp Ridge

Date of Observation: 03/11/2022
Name: Zach Guy

Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: As viewed from Gothic Peak

Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: A handful of D1 to D2 slab avalanches in wind drifted terrain that failed recently. Most looked like wind slabs failing within the storm snow. One appeared to be a large persistent slab below Scarp Ridge. See photos.


Photos:

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Estimated avalanche date: 03/09/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1

Location

Location: Peeler Basin
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: N

Characteristics

Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Old snow

Size

Relative Size: R3 medium
Destructive Size: D2.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):

Involvements

# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:

Additional comments: Scarp Ridge near Peeler Lakes

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Estimated avalanche date: 03/10/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1

Location

Location: Oh-Be-Joyful Basin
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE

Characteristics

Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:

Size

Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):

Involvements

# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:

Additional comments: Peeler Peak. Likely a wind slab.

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Estimated avalanche date: 03/10/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1

Location

Location: Mount Emmons
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: E

Characteristics

Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:

Size

Relative Size: R2 small
Destructive Size: D2 – could bury, injure, or kill a person
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):

Involvements

# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:

Additional comments: Not sure if this is a thick wind slab or if it broke into old layers.

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Estimated avalanche date: 03/11/2022
Number of Avalanches: 3

Location

Location: Mount Axtell
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE

Characteristics

Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
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: A few small wind slabs/cornice fall slides in 5th bowl

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