BC Zone Observation Report
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 12:00 AM
Gunnison
Details
Date:
2020/01/19
Observer:
Ben Pritchett
Organization:
Forecaster, CAIC
CAIC Comments
This observation includes photos from eyewitnesses and CAIC staff.
Location
BC Zone:
Gunnison
Area Description:
Red Lady Bowl
Weather
Ridgeline Wind Speed:
10-20 mph
Ridgeline Wind Direction:
NW
Wind Loading:
Light
Temperature:
20 F
Sky Cover:
Few
Avalanches
Avalanche Description:
A solo skier triggered and was caught in a large avalanche on an alpine southeast-facing slope. He deployed his airbag, took a ride on the surface of the debris, lost a ski, and self-evacuated, uninjured.
Date
Location/Path
#
Elev
Asp
Type
Trig
SizeR
SizeD
2020/01/19
Mount Emmons
1
>TL
SE
SS
AS / u
R1
D2
Date:
2020/01/19
Time:
10:30 AM (Estimated)
Observer:
Ben Pritchett
Organization:
Forecaster, CAIC
Area Description:
Red Lady Bowl
Landmark:
Mount Emmons
Elevation:
12250 ft
Weak Layer Grain Type:
Faceted Crystals
Average Vertical:
600 ft
Media
Video
A site visit to a skier triggered avalanche on an alpine southeast-facing slope near Crested Butte. The video was recorded on January 20, 2020, the day after the avalanche. A skier was caught, carried, and uninjured in this close call.
Images