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Thread: Butler Gulch 10.21.04
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10-21-2004, 06:05 PM #1
Butler Gulch 10.21.04
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0109.jpg
Took the pup up to Butler Gulch for some exercise this morning. My expectations weren't very high considering the warm weather we have had for the past couple of days. To my surprise the conditions were pretty decent and we ended up getting in a few laps on light dry snow before calling it a day. I skinned up most of the Butler Gulch road without having to take the skis off. There were a few dirt patches here and there, but nothing long enough to take the skis off for. The stream crossings aren't frozen over yet, but there were some nice log bridges just downstream.
Skinning up towards treeline:
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0103.jpg
Milli:
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0110.jpg
The snowpack is definitely going through some weird things right now. After digging a few pits I found everything from 4 feet of bomber pack, to nasty layers of depth hoar and multiple thick slabs, to 6 inches of sugar on top of ground. All of the usual suspects were found at some point today. The pack is beginning to make me feel a little eerie and concerned on what could turn out to be a rough winter. Lot's of wind loading and several crust layers are making things interesting. Walked by some hard slab avy debris that just made the stomach turn inside out.
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0104.jpg
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0105.jpg
Looks like it ran just before the last storm (2 days ago) we had. There was a 1.5 foot crown that was beginning to fill in from wind loading at the top of a gully and the avy ran all the way to the ground once it picked up some steam towards the runout. Nasty stuff. The slope was East facing and it looks like it ran for about 600 feet.
We did a few laps on a Northerly facing low angle slope from the lower shoulder. The snow was great. The dog was wearing a smile the entire time:
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0107.jpg
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0111.jpg
https://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0112.jpg
Just below treeline the snow was light and deep. I almost forgot how great the tree skiing is at Butler Gulch. A gem that doesn't see many travelers throughout the winter. Those trees hold great snow and wonderful lines.
Winter conditions are here so be careful out there.Last edited by iskibc; 10-21-2004 at 08:20 PM.
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10-21-2004, 06:10 PM #2
Once again Dave,you get the kudos!
Calmer than you dude
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10-21-2004, 06:12 PM #3
Nice.
Your pup finds the fall line well.
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10-21-2004, 07:53 PM #4
great report D, thanks. I appreciate the comments on the snowpack as well.
Thrutchworthy Production Services
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10-21-2004, 08:23 PM #5
iskibc, did the snow fall cold and dry? it sounds like the warm earth and cold nights are doing a number on your snowpack. if so, you may have some things to look for this winter. especially on those north facing persistantly scary slopes. be careful this winter.
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10-22-2004, 01:09 AM #6Originally Posted by iskibc
I'm just sort of thinking out loud here, in no way am I critiquing anything you did...though, if I were to, sounds like you did all the right things...multiple pits, and ultimately, hitting something low angle, with what looked to be an exit route into trees. Also, I realize this may be stuff everyone else already knows...so, I'd welcome the discussion. Slap me on the wrist if this is unfavorable threadjacking.
I'm pretty sure it was something that was covered in my avy 1 class, but I guess something that hadn't stuck with me. Then, I heard about today at the CSAW. Scary stuff. They show that video that probably many on here have seen...the open slope above trees where there's already 6-8 lines, all relatively close to each other. It's a group of snow professionals (patroller, guide-types) skiing this slope. Then, on about the 10th line in parallel, the whole thing goes. It's scary, because a slope can seem safe...from all tests/evaluations...and even in practice with many lines in the same day...but somewhere in there lurks maybe just one small spot of weakness...hit that, and it's over. Very difficult to account for. It's why one pit isn't sufficient. Maybe spending more time digging multiple pits than doing one really thorough /meticulous one. But, even the pit has its limitations...you've only really identified that one spot...which may be generally indicative, but cannot be guaranteed to guarantee safety. Today, they showed many accidents where high rutchsblock (spelling) scores existed. They seem to be finding that the 'lemon system' holds some potentially significant value, though the data isn't from CO snowpack. Also, a focus on shear quality and snow structure from pit to pit.
Interesting stuff. But, I do find it scary...because in effect, we want our tests/observations/evaluations to be something we can entrust our lives to...but that seems to be oversimplifying it.
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10-22-2004, 04:41 AM #7I hate your life
- Join Date
- Dec 2003
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- 2,388
damn, sweet ass TR!.....esp the snowpack.
FKNA, looks like a fun day!
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10-22-2004, 08:29 AM #8
My dog has the hots for your dog.
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10-22-2004, 08:36 AM #9Originally Posted by spthomson
Just our of curiosity what are you studying?A lot of people earn their turns. Some just get bigger checks.
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10-22-2004, 10:56 AM #10
Great pics and the detailed update on the snowpack is apprectied, I remember seeing quite a bit of slide activity myself along the divide around there last weekend.
Originally Posted by iskibc
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10-22-2004, 12:20 PM #11Originally Posted by Ireallyliketoski
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10-22-2004, 12:21 PM #12
Thank you very much for the report Dave. I'm going to head over there on Sunday morning. I'll have a quick look at Jones if I can and see if there were any natural slides.
Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.
Henry David Thoreau
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10-22-2004, 12:52 PM #13Originally Posted by Mountain Junkie
As far as what I'm studying...I'm not in any degree program for this stuff...at least yet...right now, it's just more of an ongoing trying to learn about avy stuff in general. Part of that is going to "workshops" , such as the CSAW (Colorado Snow & Avalanche Workshop) yesterday which brought some of these thoughts to the front of my thinking.
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10-22-2004, 01:08 PM #14Registered User
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- Sep 2004
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- Wydaho
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IMO, by the time i reach the top of a slope and dig a pit, I am seeking confirmation of the opinions that i have formed on the way up.
Know the history of the storm cycles.
Pole probe the whole way up.
Listen and feel.
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10-22-2004, 01:10 PM #15Originally Posted by Ireallyliketoskiscroll to "Buy DVD", very bottom of page http://bhandf.com/bhandf%202008/longform.htm I do not work for Bill, just dig his work.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. (It) is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. . .There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so. . .people won't feel insecure around you. . . -Williamson
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10-22-2004, 01:18 PM #16
You are the man. Sick TR.
"It appears my hypocrisy knows no bounds."
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10-22-2004, 01:28 PM #17
I've been. I've seen people.
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10-22-2004, 04:43 PM #18Originally Posted by Stanley
Do you mean digging a pit at the top of the slope? How do you do that safely? (again, not critiquing...just trying to learn)
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