Bollettino valanghe

Northwest Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

The consequences of triggering an avalanche remain severe as most would break several feet deep.  The chance for you to trigger an avalanche has SLOWLY decreased the past few days but knowing which slope is going to avalanche is anyone's guess.  The aspects of greatest concern face west to north to east and upper elevation southeast slopes.  You can greatly reduce your chance of triggering an avalanche by selecting low-angled terrain (about 30 degrees or less) and avoiding travel directly beneath steep slopes on suspect aspects.  The snowpack is less problematic on south and southwesterly terrain.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1.5–2.5

    Slabs 2 to 4 feet exist above persistent weak layers. With each passing day of mild weather, this avalanche problem will become less sensitive to human triggering, but the large and deadly size will remain. This avalanche problem may also give fewer warnings and obvious signs of instability. The most concerning aspects are northerly and easterly-facing slopes. The potential for triggered avalanches exists in other aspects but will be less commonly encountered.  Avalanches have the potential to break wider than you expect, and they can be triggered from flat slopes connected to steeper terrain. Consider the consequences of a large avalanche in the terrain you want to ride; smaller terrain features can lower the consequence if you do trigger an avalanche. While lower slope angles, without overhead hazards, can lower the chance of triggering an avalanche. 

Avalanche Discussion

Weak layers at the base of the snowpack received a three-day rest period since the last storm and subsequent natural avalanche cycle.  The stable weather has allowed for some improvement in the avalanche hazard but only incrementally.  Observations yesterday from Elk Creek in the Kebler Pass area (Northwest Mountains) and another from Coneys (Southeast Mountains) mention continued collapses and poor snowpack test results.  Observations like these give credence to the ongoing threat of human-triggered avalanches on aspects listed on the Persistent Slab rose.

Another important point is the large size of recent avalanches.  In the past week, the CBAC has documented 157 avalanches with 87 of those being large (D2).  Slabs in the Northwest Mountains range from 2+ feet thick below treeline to over 4+ feet in drifted alpine terrain.  The avalanche data for the Northwest Mountains shows 59 out of 93 avalanches were large (D2).  Many of the smaller avalanches (D1) occurred on small slopes that in some cases are too small to produce a large avalanche.  If you do trigger an avalanche the data suggests a good chance that it's going to be large.

We have little data from the Southeast Mountains forecast area.  Most observations and avalanches come from the terrain that borders the Northwest Mountains; from Mount Emmons towards Anthracite Mesa and Snodgrass.  In general, the Southeast Mountains received less snowfall, and thus slabs are thinner.  Slabs are more commonly 1 to 2 feet thick below treeline.  Once you enter drifted terrain, slab thickness increases and large avalanches become more likely.  A good example of a large avalanche is blatantly obvious in Red Lady Bowl.

The simplest and safest way to manage the current avalanche hazard is choosing conservative terrain. Keeping to lower angled slopes or if you do step onto steeper terrain, pick small slopes that have low consequences if you did trigger an avalanche.  Keep in mind that remotely triggered avalanches remain possible so give a wide berth to steep slopes if you cross underneath.  Thankfully, many low-angled slopes are riding great and with supportive conditions and soft surfaces.  

If you're hungry for more information, give Zach's video a watch in the media gallery below for a breakdown of conditions after last weekend's storm and natural avalanche cycle.

News & Events: 

  • Thank you to everyone who attended our Avalanche Awareness Night and Beacon Brushup last weekend!  We are hosting our annual Christmas Tree Sale this Friday-Sunday.  Look for us at Ace Hardware from noon til 7 pm. 
  • Our next trailhead day is this Sunday at Kebler Pass TH. 
  • We’re excited to release an Avalanche Terrain Map of our forecast area! Check it out here.

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