BC Zone Observation Report
Monday, December 31, 2018 at 12:00 AM
Front Range
Details
Date:
2018/12/31
Observer:
Piet Sawvel
Organization:
Public
Location
BC Zone:
Front Range
Area Description:
X Chute, Hidden Knoll, Berthoud Pass
Weather
Weather Description:
Upper west side of X Chute on Berthoud. NNE facing. 1 to 2" new snow overnight, easterly wind maybe 10 mph, very cold 8°
Snowpack
Snowpack Description:
11,800' elevation. Cold, dry upper layer that powdered as the slide ran. The slab didn't maintain its form, but did leave a visible 10" crown.
Avalanches
Avalanche Description:
I led the drop in to X Chute, made about six turns along the left (west) edge and as I cut back right I triggered a slide that ran out to my left. It was about 20' wide and 50' long, and took out the shallow upper surface slab leaving a 10" crown. A minor release but it got our attention. We didn't stop to take photos; our concern was getting to the safety of lower angle terrain. We didn't trigger other slides, nor did we observe previous or new sluffs. We were wary of the crown on the NE-facing aspect of Russell, which is above Hidden Knoll.
Date
Location/Path
#
Elev
Asp
Type
Trig
SizeR
SizeD
2018/12/31
†
1
TL
NE
SS
AS / u
R1
D1
Date:
2018/12/31 (Estimated)
Observer:
Piet Sawvel
Organization:
Public
