Bollettino valanghe

Southeast Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Thu
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

Large, remotely triggered avalanches yesterday (see video) and natural activity from recent storms highlight dangerous avalanche conditions near and above treeline. Slabs breaking several feet deep are sensitive to human triggers, especially on northerly and easterly aspects. At lower elevations, old faceted rain crusts have generally supported recent snow loads, though signs of instability - cracking and collapsing - are emerging. The safest travel is on slopes less than 30 degrees or on southerly aspects at mid to low elevations.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    A mix of depth hoar, facets, and faceted crusts buried 2 to 3 feet deep are reactive to human and remote triggers. Northerly and easterly facing terrain near and above treeline has been most active due to thicker slabs over well-developed weak layers. The lower half of the snowpack is highly variable, shaped by early-season droughts, record-warm temperatures, rain, and past extreme wind events. As a result, expect inconsistent feedback as you move across aspects, elevations, or even different parts of the same slope. Cracking and collapsing are obvious signs of instability, although your first clear signal could be a dangerous avalanche. The most reliable way to manage this problem is by choosing slopes less than 30 degrees. Wind-eroded terrain, south to west-facing aspects, and elevations below ~10,500' offer lower-risk options, where slabs are less common and weak layers are often capped by stronger crusts. 

    A large, remotely triggered avalanche broke on weak layers near the ground on Monday above West Brush Creek.  (1/6/2026) Photo: Crested Butte Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday's fieldwork in West Brush Creek gave clear feedback (frequent collapses and remote triggers) that the shallower parts of our forecast area now have enough slab development for dangerous avalanche conditions.  And the pattern of large naturals continued in the deeper Northwest Mountains.  Welcome to entrenchment mode as we head into yet another loading event tomorrow, which could trigger another wave of natural activity and keep sensitivity elevated for human triggers.  There are options to reduce your risk by traveling in terrain where slabs are less developed or weak layers aren't as bad.  If you are traveling where the persistent slab problem isn't highlighted, diligently assess the snowpack before traveling in steep terrain. We expect variability and avalanches to occur outside the most problematic slopes given the unusual weather events during our December drought and incremental loading pattern that we are in.    

Below treeline has been remarkably quiet in the past few weeks, with only a few small avalanches reported below 10,800'.  In my recent field days, ranging from Elkton to Schuylkill Ridge to Snodgrass to West Brush Creek, yesterday was the first day that I observed some collapsing and cracking below treeline.  At lower elevations, the rain crusts supporting this month's snowfall vary in thickness, both in elevation and with location.  Higher elevations or areas in the rainshadow have thinner, more collapsible crusts.  If you are traveling in steep below-treeline terrain on the north half of the compass, monitor slab thickness and what the terrain consequences will be if you find an instability.  Yesterday, Eric avoided steep terrain above 10,500' due to thickening slabs and thinning crusts.  

Upcoming Events:  

Jan 10 Trailhead Day: Snodgrass 10 am-2 pm

Jan 13 Fireside Chat:  Kim Grant from Silverton Mountain at Zuni West Brewing 5-7 pm

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