Lawinenlagebericht

Southeast Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Slab avalanche problems are isolated and increasingly difficult to trigger. The main concern remains previously wind-drifted upper-elevation slopes, where stiff slabs overlie early-season weak layers. If you encounter this poor structure, consider shifting to lower-consequence terrain to reduce the risk of an unlucky outcome or steer around old drifts. Wednesday night’s windstorm may have also created small, fresh slabs in unusual or lower-elevation locations.  Simply steer around these fresh, hard drifts to manage the problem.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Snowfall and wind drifting in early December formed slabs up to a couple of feet thick over facets near the ground.  These weak layers are most widespread on the northern half of the compass.  In the Southeast Mountains, most slabs have decayed, and the threat lingers on a few heavily drifted slopes near and above treeline.  Stay alert for isolated instabilities and consider avoiding old stiff drifts above high-consequence terrain.  Most lingering instabilities are expected to be small (D1-D1.5), with potential for a larger outlier on the biggest, most wind-drifted slopes.  

    A skier triggered a persistent slab avalanche on Sunday, 12/14.  This avalanche occurred in the Northwest Mountain forecast area. 

Avalanche Discussion

The last significant loading event and associated natural avalanche cycle occurred around the weekend of December 6, followed by a few periods of additional wind loading. Over the past week and a half, the likelihood of human-triggered avalanches has steadily decreased to unlikely. Remaining areas of concern are isolated and primarily found on previously wind-loaded upper-elevation slopes.  Recent snowpack tests have shown variable results but generally indicate a low likelihood of triggering. The most recent human-triggered avalanche occurred on Sunday, December 14, on an easterly-facing slope on Cinnamon Mountain. While avalanches like this have become increasingly rare, they are not impossible. Carefully consider the consequences of triggering a strong-over-weak snowpack, and reduce your risk by avoiding drifted slopes with terrain traps.  You can avoid this problem by choosing lower-elevation sheltered terrain.

Wednesday night’s extreme wind event created a minor concern, with small, sensitive drifts forming in unusual locations due to the powerful winds. Limited snow was available for transport, consisting mainly of about an inch of new snow and older facets in wind-sheltered terrain on the northern half of the compass.  Explosive control work was able to pry one of these small slabs out on Thursday.  Much of the soft snow before the wind event was found below treeline, so don't be surprised if you find a small slab at low elevations.

Upcoming Events:

  • Fireside Chat: Join us at the Daily Dose on Friday December 19th 5-7 pm to hear Matt Steen discuss professional decision making in avalanche terrain. Helicopter Skiing Lead guide manages avalanche terrain in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Come hear his interesting perspective.
  • Trailhead Day: We will also be at the Washington Gulch trailhead for our first Trailhead Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Programs like the Fireside Chat Series and Trailhead Days are made possible through funding from MetRec, STOR, and the National Forest Foundation

Abgedeckte Regionen