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  1. #451
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Skiattle
    Posts
    7,764
    Saturday @ Jones pass
    East aspect, near and above TL
    The new ~2-6" of snow to old snow wind crust interface is really weak.
    It would shear cleanly when sidehilling on the ski up and would break off in very localized slabs on the way down on hard cuts.
    This will definitely be something to keep an eye on when we get some more snow.

  2. #452
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    north of north
    Posts
    712
    Saturday just below the lost lake chutes near Eldora at ~10,000 ft.
    North aspect near treeline.
    The top inch or two failed during column isolation, and also sheared cleanly when sidehilling.
    The next failure was CTM-H about a foot down and a Q3 failure. Other than that, not too much to worry about for now...
    There was a definite crust skiing down that broke off into tiny slabs.
    I saw one shooting crack that shot out maybe 10 ft. underneath me but it was only that really shallow 1-2" windslab
    All in all, it's relatively safe out there but definitely dig a pit before you head into anything bigger
    Sunday ends with her head in a pillow, ass in the air with me pounding her from behind. Life is good.

  3. #453
    adam is offline The Shred Pirate Roberts
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    CO
    Posts
    3,546
    Tuesday, 100 ft above treeline on Loveland pass.
    South facing aspect.
    215 cm snowpack
    Top layer was a foot deep wind slab layer that failed during column isolation.
    Next layer was the recent snow, about six inches deep. It appeared to be consolidated and also failed upon column isolation.
    Next layer was a pencil hard, two feet deep crust layer. It appeared to have minor faceting on the top of the layer.
    Next layer was a less than an inch thick, extremely hard, near ice layer.
    Next layer was extremely similar to the 3rd crust layer. Same faceting and hardness.
    And that is where our pit ended.

    Some potential danger is there for sure. Funky stuff. We performed a ski cut on the same face and only got some slough to go.

  4. #454
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Pemberton, BC
    Posts
    2,228
    Quote Originally Posted by highflyingpilot View Post
    definitely dig a pit before you head into anything bigger
    dig a pit or three. i personally don't trust the results of a single pit.

  5. #455
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    not here, kansas
    Posts
    306
    is there one for this season yet? I know whats coming.

  6. #456
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    CO
    Posts
    305
    Sunday Avalanche - Rocky Mountain National Park
    I wasn't there but my friend who was told me a bit about it
    He said Northerly aspect
    in a couloir
    not sure if they dug a pit but I kinda doubt it
    1 foot deep, 100 feet across (basically the whole couloir), and it ran "like a thousand feet" in his words
    One skier was carried down with it
    Only casualty was a lost ski that was never found
    "I reckon i'm one of the only people who could ski this line" says my drunk friend

  7. #457
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    8,290'
    Posts
    5,357
    Eight reported in Colorado in October 2009

    Plus anything here in slide zone not in CAIC and non reported.

    http://avalanche.state.co.us/pub/acc...ident=20091101
    Last edited by MiCol; 11-02-2009 at 07:50 AM.
    www.freeridesystems.com
    ski & ride jackets made in colorado
    maggot discount code TGR20
    ok we'll come up with a solution by then makers....

  8. #458
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1
    Thanks for sharing this useful information. It's great.
    this is interesting.. thanks so much for sharing!

  9. #459
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Not in the PRB
    Posts
    32,785
    crazy wumphing at Uncle Bud's hut this w/e.
    "fuck off you asshat gaper shit for brains fucktard wanker." - Jesus Christ
    "She was tossing her bean salad with the vigor of a Drunken Pop princess so I walked out of the corner and said.... "need a hand?"" - Odin
    "everybody's got their hooks into you, fuck em....forge on motherfuckers, drag all those bitches across the goal line with you." - (not so) ill-advised strategy

  10. #460
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    19,215
    I don't know if I've ever seen Uneva rip this big. Anyone have more details on who triggered it?

    http://summitvoice.files.wordpress.c...1/dsc_0005.jpg

  11. #461
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Colyrady
    Posts
    3,781
    Haven't been posting in this thread at all. It is obvious that our snowpack is for shit stability wise.

    St Vrain Mtn/Meadow mountain 1/10. 12-18" well developed depth hoar overlain by 12-24" of varying powder, softslab, hardslab, and mixed combos. The one unifying theme was whummmphfffing everwhere. Here a whummphff, there a whummmpff, everywhere a whummmph, whummphfs. Cracks propagating tree to tree. Anything undisturbed and steep enough will have a pretty good chance of sliding and/or remote triggering something else.

    Skiing was pretty good below treeline with velvety soft windblown powder, albeit thin.

  12. #462
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Eagle County
    Posts
    12,612
    Quote Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark View Post
    I don't know if I've ever seen Uneva rip this big. Anyone have more details on who triggered it?

    http://summitvoice.files.wordpress.c...1/dsc_0005.jpg
    I read about it but hadn't seen it....that is HUGE. Scary stuff....I've skied that line in the spring and the chutes in the right of the pic but only in the spring.
    ROLL TIDE ROLL

  13. #463
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    6,866
    Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
    Location: Braddock Peak, south side of Cameron Pass
    Pit info: NE aspect at 11.5k

    Total depth = 145cm
    Bottom 65cm was pure sugar

    Interestingly enough, we dug another pit a little further down with similar slab/sugar structures and it passed multiple full body rutschblock jumps. Seems like the recent freeze/thaw did a number on the mid and top layers but I imagine that junk snow at the bottom will ultimately persist into April.

    So while it appears the snowpack can withstand a healthy amount of stress, if and when it breaks, you can very well expect disastrous outcomes.







    The S-shaped line off the summit was our intended line, but equipment failure stopped us prematurely:


  14. #464
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    19,215
    Here's a first person account from the Grand Mesa slide:

    Skier: ‘I saw myself sliding quickly to my burial'
    Avalanche survivor Seth Anderson recounts his first descent of Thunderbird couloir

    Seth Anderson
    Special to the Daily


    Seth Anderson climbs the Grand Mesa Thunderbird couloir. He and Ann Driggers made the first known descent on skis March 17. Unfortunately, most of Anderson's trip down the steep mountain was face first sans skis wrapped in an avalanche.

    Seth Anderson climbs the Grand Mesa Thunderbird couloir. He and Ann Driggers made the first known descent on skis March 17. Unfortunately, most of Anderson's trip down the steep mountain was face first sans skis wrapped in an avalanche.

    Seth Anderson climbs the Grand Mesa Thunderbird couloir. He and Ann Driggers made the first known descent on skis March 17. Unfortunately, most of Anderson's trip down the steep mountain was face first sans skis wrapped in an avalanche. Ann Driggers Special to the Daily

    GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — It might be the only chance for decades to ski the Grand Mesa Thunderbird. The legend and existence of the Thunderbird couloir was my life-long passion which no one else seemed to share.

    I've looked up at the natural formation with wonder before I knew its name. I longed to view, hike, and perhaps even ski it up close.

    The Grand Mesa is not a mountaineer's typical query, but the North Turret has merit — if not for rugged shape and local proximity, then for the Ute's legend of the terrifying Thunderbird story played out in hieroglyphic form on its steep slopes. The local Utes believed the light-colored shale appeared as a wing-spread Thunderbird grabbing a long skinny serpent-like chute rarely visible from below. When a coming storm's light shows the Thunderbird grab the Serpent, it rains in the valley. I have witnessed this just once in 1992.

    My brother, Dirk, and I scrambled up the Thunderbird route in September 2009 and found it enjoyable but a “bushhacky” climb above and below. Having an indomitable thirst for intriguing and hard-won ski routes, Ann Driggers, president and CEO of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, was fired up to go after years of me mentioning it.

    Ann and I left Rapid Creek Trailhead at 5 a.m. March 17, 2010. Hiking the dark road till snow coverage at about 6,000-feet elevation required flotation. We put skins on our ski bases and schussed upward crossing a meadow and entering thick low-slung brambles. The sun broke on the glowing Bookcliffs below as we bobbed and weaved through snags of oakbrush. We stepped onward to the bottom of the narrow Serpent Chute.

    We fixed skis to our packs crawling and kick-stepping up the barely covered Serpent Chute to the wider Thunderbird couloir above. Reaching the crest, we paused for a break. We decided the west-facing couloir had not had enough sun to soften it from its hardened state. We skinned steeply toward the basalt-capped summit. I spied a possible scrambling route to try at a later date. We beamed from the great mountain climbing experience we had enjoyed that is within view and reach of our homes.

    At about 11:30 a.m., Ann and I skied down to the head of the great bird. I followed Ann “skiers left” out onto the sharp beak. We skied to center, then left again on mostly icy snow. I decided to ski back into the Serpent's gullet. I dropped over a rocky knoll into an open snow patch. The rough textured snow cracked, rumbled and dialed open like a 3-D puzzle.

    “No! Stop, Ann!” I yelled behind me. I tried to force a turn to get out of the slide but was immediately sucked under the snow.

    I was screaming face down, snow chunks and loose powder surrounded my entire being. It was exactly as I had envisioned being in an avalanche, only rougher. I saw myself sliding quickly to my burial, suffocating and freezing solid in cement-like snow.

    I tried to swim and kick to the surface and get my feet pointed down. The snow pounded my face to the rock and debris. I persisted — just as the slide caught air I was freed to put my now ski-less backcountry boots below me.

    I was surrounded by snow and launched off of an abrupt drop. I hit hard and my legs crumpled. The thickened snow slammed me without pause and bludgeoned me blindly through hard trees and over two smaller drops. The trees grew denser. I was spit out and slid in slow motion onto a sloping ledge. I clung to a slender tree suspending me above another 80-foot drop.

    I was relieved not to be buried and able to breathe. I was horrified when my legs did not move with my body. I was in shock and yelled for Ann to find me. “Are you OK, Seth!?” she shouted back. “I'm HERE!” I replied.

    Blood dribbled past my eyes onto my phone as I dialed 911. “I am on the west face of Grand Mesa on the north side of Rapid Creek just above Palisade. I've just been in an avalanche triggered fall on the Thunderbird Couloir,” I said trying to stay calm. I vaguely recall the responder: “Thunder-what? You're kind of breaking up, sir...”

    Ann skied up next to me on the ledge, “Oh my God, Seth, are you OK?” I repositioned my crushed legs uphill to slow my bleeding and handed her my phone. My cellphone signal was gone so Ann managed the rescue effort with calming strength.

    Just after 1 p.m. Ann called 9-1-1 and coordinated with Mesa County Search and Rescue and Powderhorn Ski Patrol's Rondo Beuchler. Rondo is also the owner of Palisade's Rapid Creek Cycles and knows the area better than most.

    My pack and skis were gone, only my uninsulated Loki shell covered me as I shivered immobile, contemplating the blood once soft inside my legs now stiffening into huge and painful trunks to compensate for lack of solid bone structure. I suggested that I should wrap a belt tightly at least around my left leg which was broken at the femur and swelling more dramatically. Rondo insisted not to try it if I wasn't bleeding through. Ann handed me her light down jacket as she improved a platform and prepared the rescuers.

    Around 4 p.m., St. Mary's Careflight helicopter blades pounded the air and searched for a safe place to land below us. Pilot Bill Reed landed Search and Rescue's Jose Iglesias, Joanne Black and flight nurses Tom Feller and Rob Klimek to climb up to our ledge. They set up IV fluid and painkillers to essentially save me. By now the shock had worn off and I was in serious, sometimes vocal pain.

    I was elated to have Sanadam, Rich Moody, Bob Marquis, Terry and many more search and rescue members be so calming and strong. They made me want to live beyond the delicate thoughts of my new son, Asa, and loving family. The IV fluid was my nemesis. I wanted water to moisten my throat so bad but I was only allowed to eat snow. Sensible for surgery... I wasn't sure I could hold together for the hospital.

    Many more well spirited and strong search and rescue members arrived to help. I was soon strapped to a rescue basket and rappelled down the initial drop. We trudged across several more stepped slopes to one more rope lowering to the waiting helicopter.

    By sunset I was delivered via rooftop landing to talented hands and openly kind souls in the new tower at St. Mary's. Dr. Hilty, Dr. Narrod and Dr. Dolecki made lasting artwork of my near fatal orthotic condition. I was saved by technology and intelligence and yet nearly as much by the pure love I have received during my rescue and continuing recovery. I am eternally grateful for more than I could ever repay in my lifetime. It is as if I needed death in my face to realize how many great people I would miss and be letting down.

    As I lay reviving two severely broken legs in a St. Mary's patient room, part of a message from Sister Jane McConnell appears:

    “To all who are sick or injured let them know that they are loved and held in you careful embrace.”

  15. #465
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Kings Beach
    Posts
    442
    any updates from this latest storm? mostly curious about San Juan zones

  16. #466
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    942
    Quote Originally Posted by NPG View Post
    Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
    Location: Braddock Peak, south side of Cameron Pass
    Pit info: NE aspect at 11.5k

    Total depth = 145cm
    Bottom 65cm was pure sugar

    Interestingly enough, we dug another pit a little further down with similar slab/sugar structures and it passed multiple full body rutschblock jumps. Seems like the recent freeze/thaw did a number on the mid and top layers but I imagine that junk snow at the bottom will ultimately persist into April.

    So while it appears the snowpack can withstand a healthy amount of stress, if and when it breaks, you can very well expect disastrous outcomes.







    The S-shaped line off the summit was our intended line, but equipment failure stopped us prematurely:

    You should repost this on powderbuzz.com. They would appreciate it over there. BTW, that mountain has always been known as No Name(really original). The route you tried to ride is called the Z couloir (really original). Braddock is some CU professor who blew someone at the USGS to get his name on the map.

  17. #467
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Midgaard
    Posts
    2,885
    ^^^That was last year. I almost replied to the post above that about the San Juan snowpack a couple weeks ago. However, it's good to know that all I have to do is blow a guy to get Fritz Peak

  18. #468
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    working or playing
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    1,716
    X-post from berthoud thread:

    Quote Originally Posted by Poop*Ghost View Post
    We dug a pit - Khakis will have a picture or two of the snow pack.

    32 Degree slope - South Facing
    Isolated column - cut down the back with a snow saw

    No movement on the 5 whacks from the hand, or elbow.

    First whack from the shoulder we got a shear about 2 1/2 feet deep. Pencil hard layer down maybe 6" (will need to look at the pix again) - but then down another 2' + there's another finger hard layer... just absolute kitty litter above and below.

    3 columns all showed similar results.

    I would imagine this coming storm - dropping a foot on that pencil hard layer is going to create a real trouble spot.
    I think that's what you call going from bad:



    to worse:

    The killer awoke before dawn.
    He put his boots on.

  19. #469
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Aspen, Colorado
    Posts
    2,645
    I clicked on this thread hoping for some new observations perhaps. Newest comments are 2+ years old. Could this be un-stickied?

  20. #470
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    mobile
    Posts
    2

    Touring options east of the Divide???

    This may be a shot in the dark, but I'm wondering if anyone has explored the Brainard Lake - Isabelle Glacier area above Boulder, or has a good recommendation for touring on the east side of the divide? I've spent most of my ski years on the other side of the divide, and most recently on the other side of the Atlantic. I'm going through withdrawal from a plethora of off piste options, but don't want to fight traffic with the rest of weekend warriors to stand in line with them once I've reached my destination. I have equipment, but am interested in safety over extreme adventure.... thoughts / ideas?? Also looking for a good partner (s), if there is any reasonable terrain to explore.

  21. #471
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    19,215
    Audubon couloir is one of my favorites.
    Is it radix panax notoginseng? - splat
    This is like hanging yourself but the rope breaks. - DTM
    Dude Listen to mtm. He's a marriage counselor at burning man. - subtle plague

  22. #472
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    83
    Quote Originally Posted by mtngrl View Post
    This may be a shot in the dark, but I'm wondering if anyone has explored the Brainard Lake - Isabelle Glacier area above Boulder, or has a good recommendation for touring on the east side of the divide? I've spent most of my ski years on the other side of the divide, and most recently on the other side of the Atlantic. I'm going through withdrawal from a plethora of off piste options, but don't want to fight traffic with the rest of weekend warriors to stand in line with them once I've reached my destination. I have equipment, but am interested in safety over extreme adventure.... thoughts / ideas?? Also looking for a good partner (s), if there is any reasonable terrain to explore.
    The last time I was up there I saw some cool looking N and E facing lines to the Southwest of Brainard and further up by Long lake, but I have not explored further up to Isabelle glacier. They looked pretty steep and avalanchy though so I would definitely approach that with caution. A different easy and safe option is to go check out hidden valley in RMNP. Moderate slope angle, zero approach, and old ski runs cut through the trees make it a fun outing.

  23. #473
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
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    Quote Originally Posted by V-rex View Post
    The last time I was up there I saw some cool looking N and E facing lines to the Southwest of Brainard and further up by Long lake, but I have not explored further up to Isabelle glacier. They looked pretty steep and avalanchy though so I would definitely approach that with caution. A different easy and safe option is to go check out hidden valley in RMNP. Moderate slope angle, zero approach, and old ski runs cut through the trees make it a fun outing.
    Thank you!

  24. #474
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    214
    It was years ago, but I've skied the couloir above Isabelle Glacier a couple times (Queens Way Couloir?). Both times were in October I think. It's a bit of a trek, even when the gate is open.

  25. #475
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Midgaard
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    Quote Originally Posted by mtngrl View Post
    This may be a shot in the dark, but I'm wondering if anyone has explored the Brainard Lake - Isabelle Glacier area above Boulder, or has a good recommendation for touring on the east side of the divide? I've spent most of my ski years on the other side of the divide, and most recently on the other side of the Atlantic. I'm going through withdrawal from a plethora of off piste options, but don't want to fight traffic with the rest of weekend warriors to stand in line with them once I've reached my destination. I have equipment, but am interested in safety over extreme adventure.... thoughts / ideas?? Also looking for a good partner (s), if there is any reasonable terrain to explore.
    Everything you can see on your way up to Brainard lake can be really good in the right conditions. Those peaks don't get skied much in the winter due to the closing so don't expect much skier compaction. There are a bunch of classic lines off Navajo, Apache, Toll, Paiute, and Audubon. Lots of wind up there most of the the winter so be careful of the slab. Excellent corn in the spring. Bring a bike if you're going before Memorial Day weekend. There's an old book called Front Range Descents that you might be able to find online. The book is dated but still relevant.

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