Windy Schuylkill Ridge

CB Avalanche Center2016-17 Observations

Location: Crested Butte Area
Date of Observation: 02/27/2017
Name: Travis Colbert
Subject: Windy Schuylkill Ridge
Aspect: North East
Elevation: 11,400

Avalanches: Remotely triggered a cornice break skier’s left side of Yogi’s that triggered a small soft slab avalanche 12+ inches deep. Skier triggered a few small pockets on isolated convexities. Some sloughing, that toward the end of the day was exhibiting almost soft slab-like movement.
Weather: Strong SW wind (30+ mph) and snowing.
Snowpack: 12+ inches of soft, non-cohesive snow becoming noticeably more cohesive over the course of the day. Skied Snakey, Thanksgiving Bowl and Birthday Bowl. Massive cornices along the entire ridge due to several days of strong W & SW winds. Amazing skiing with particular caution at the wind-loaded entrances. Snowfall and winds were increasing as the day progressed, and I expect these slopes to be touchy in the days ahead.