Date of Observation: 03/06/2022
Name: Andrew Breibart Jonathan Cuppett
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Washington Gulch TH to Coneys
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: We observed one avalanche below the ridge line near the high point of the mesa. Appears to be SS-N-R1-D1-o. Failure occurred on convexity in a wind loaded area below the ridge line. The fetch near the ridge has no vegetation. Slope angle of the crown appears to be between 30-35 degrees. We think the failure occurred on melt freeze crust.
Weather: obstructed skies and light winds.
Snowpack: Up to 16 inches of new snow in the past 48 hours. Standing about 15 feet apart on the ridge above the avalanche in this observation, we both each felt a localized collapse.
Photos:
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[accordion_item title=”Avalanche Report #1″ parent_id=”my-accordion” open=”false”]Estimated avalanche date: 03/05/2022
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Washington Gulch (Elkton, Coneys, Meridian Lake)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: BTL: Below Tree Line
Aspect: E
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: New/Old interface
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet): 40
Avg. vertical run (feet): 40
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Failure on convexity below the ridge line.
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