Head Wall Slid in Jackson

[powdork]

Oh... Right. I thought that I had read somewhere about somewhere in Cali having an inbounds slide and I just put Squaw up instead of checking. Or did I just dream that somewhere in Cali had that happen?

it did happen, but it was the result of a big storm that we were in the midst of at the time. Currently, our snow pack is it's traditional well bonded maritime self.

[Lonnie]

Down here in salt lake things are sketchy as hell. Big slides left and right.

Anybody see that shit up in toledo?



Ran almost to the p-dog.

And the slide the control work pulled out on East Baldy and off the shoulder, OMG!!!!

[huckasoreass]

Oh... Right. I thought that I had read somewhere about somewhere in Cali having an inbounds slide and I just put Squaw up instead of checking. Or did I just dream that somewhere in Cali had that happen?

You were right, Gordy. There was a fatality at Squaw X-Mas Day from a slide mid-storm, but less than 24 hours later pretty much everything was bomber. But looking at that ice in those Headwall photos with an interior snowpack? That gives me the heebiejeebies (sp?) and makes me real glad I'm in the Sierras.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Oh... Right. I thought that I had read somewhere about somewhere in Cali having an inbounds slide and I just put Squaw up instead of checking. Or did I just dream that somewhere in Cali had that happen?

That was at Squaw last week. However, I have read some inconsistent reports as to whether that was actually a slide, tree well, or other type incident. Unclear (to me personally) at this point. Irregardless, a horrible trategy to all those involved or affected.

In Tahoe, recent dumpage has bonded very well with existing base. Warming temps should also help pack settle further (earlier storms were very dry on non-existing base).

EDIT: Not really official "reports" above. Really just inconsistent statements from some involved. Doesn't really matter, but always good to be learning...

[SchralphMacchio]

Oh... Right. I thought that I had read somewhere about somewhere in Cali having an inbounds slide and I just put Squaw up instead of checking. Or did I just dream that somewhere in Cali had that happen?

Squaw had an inbounds slide that resulted in a fatality last week. I don't know that area very well. Even before last week's dumpage the bonding was somewhat decent, but things stabilized really fast the day after xmas.

Our thanksgiving layer fell as snow, not rain. I remember it being rotted out but it must have healed? I haven't dug that deep yet to check it out.

[SchralphMacchio]

haha four replies to gordy's question at the same time ... I'm slow ...

[jstorrs]

Notice how all of the replies from people from Cali use the word "DUMPAGE"
haha
yeah bro.

[The Suit]

There was a brief clearing a few minutes ago and I looked at Casper Bowl through my spotting scope. I didn't see ripped up trees, but visibility was pretty poor, so that doesn't mean much. Didn't get a chance to look at Laramie or Cheyenne before it socked back in.

I can see the hill again. Big crowns to skier's left of Flip Point (Laramie), and Cheyenne below the cliff band.

[SchralphMacchio]

Notice how all of the replies from people from Cali use the word "DUMPAGE"
haha
yeah bro.

actually it was 2 out of 4 ... both of us who are probably sitting in downtown SF at our desk jockey positions, while the other 2 are in the mountains proper.

I can see the hill again. Big crowns to skier's left of Flip Point (Laramie), and Cheyenne below the cliff band.

Yikes!

At least it's all ripping now while the mountain's closed and the weather's changing? Hope that nothing inbounds sticks around as a PWL ...

[str8line]

Jeeze, inbounds deaths at Snowbird, Jackson and Squaw. That is crazy and hard to believe. Maybe the one good thing that comes out of all of this is an even more heightened awareness of the hazards of backcountry travel during periods of high hazard-there have been several articles lately in the Salt Lake Tribune about avalanche incidents and snow safety.

[babybear]

Pit I dug the other day in Mail Cabin had failure in a 4-6" thick layer of facets just above the crust. Hopefully that layer is getting pulled out, even if the crust itself remains. Warm temps are accelerating the activity now but may help stability over the medium to long term. I'd expect a drop in hazard if the forecast drop in temps occurs tonight and tomorrow.

yes- hopefully that weak facet above the crust gets washed out and then *hoping* this new snow bonds a little better.... this nov crust will be a nemesis all year

[HuckStixCO]

Here's a few pics from the manager of the restaurant....These aren't as good as the ones on tetonat but they give an idea of the magnitude. Good thing this went off early and not when the restaurant was full.

[1wsguy]

O.K. here's a crazy thought...... I'm not sure of the exact type of "bombing" that is used in avy control efforts, but if this rain crust is now exposed, is there any way to fire/drop some sort of "salt bomb" on the crust to help break it down?

[Lone Star]

^^^^^

[outabounds]

You continental snowpack people might want to consider spending a season on the coast.

It gets a little goopy out here, but it tends to stick around after it's been on the ground for a few days.

You've got my best wishes, whatever that's worth.

[tkm5337]

(cross post from conditions)


babybear---youre absolutely right. the 28-30 on the books were supposed to be our busiest days...low and behold, they've involved delayed openings and closures.

suit...while agro locals are the most vocal about their complaints, the most pressure is applied from the tourists. all the locals have their passes bought. money in and out. but not having the mountain open costs thousands and thousands A DAY because instructors are not being booked and lift tickets are being refunded. and then of course it all trickles down.... no lessons bought --> no lift ticket ---> no Food and Beverage profit from lunches ---> people canceling/shortening vacations on hotels ---> restaurants/shops in town receiving zero traffic.

its tough right now in general. think about it, just a couple weeks ago, we (especially those at the mountain) were all FREAKING out because there was zero snow and nothing could open. now, there is too much snow and things can't open. its a season of extremes. and thus far not in a good way.

as far as today at the village, the headwall ripped out, burying a patroller but causing minimal injury (and more importantly zero death.) everyone that was up high for early tram was downloaded as a precautionary measure. only teewinot and eagles rest ran this morning, the gondi never made it (thankfully!).... probe lines went down both inside and outside the restaurant.
cheyenne and bernies bowl and moran faces ripped out today as well. thus far 8 patrollers have gone for slide rides and 3 have been buried.

seeing their faces today made me want to burst out crying and are certainly cause for some introspective time. they are physically, mentally and emotionally drained. dont be upset over closures, guys. this is for OUR benefit, they're not getting some kind of sick pleasure keeping up away from the goods. veteran instructors and patrollers have been repeated saying this is by far the WORST snowpack theyve seen.

vibes to friends who work up at the couloir and now have NO JOBS.

they started launching the howitzer a bunch this afternoon. heard about 5-6 shots in the matter of an hour....

[babybear]

i don't think any of us are upset about closures at all. I think anyone that posts here probably understands. thx for the update. I'm gonna bake some cookies and brownies for the patrollers tonight they've been working so hard

[riggs]

yes- hopefully that weak facet above the crust gets washed out and then *hoping* this new snow bonds a little better.... this nov crust will be a nemesis all year

Scary thing is that it will probably remain in less steep areas that don't see natural activity during the current period, areas that folks will assume are safer due to lower angle, less loading etc...
Add a skier trigger and those slopes will go when people least expect them.
It's going to be a very cautious January (and beyond) for me.

Never seen the king so crowded.

[sconniestyle]

Here's a few pics from the manager of the restaurant....These aren't as good as the ones on tetonat but they give an idea of the magnitude. Good thing this went off early and not when the restaurant was full.

Wow. that is intense

[rideit]

Don't forget St. Anton in the eighties....

[powdork]

O.K. here's a crazy thought...... I'm not sure of the exact type of "bombing" that is used in avy control efforts, but if this rain crust is now exposed, is there any way to fire/drop some sort of "salt bomb" on the crust to help break it down?

just wanted to bump this so maybe someone who makes these bombs could see it.

[Tye 1on]

just wanted to bump this so maybe someone who makes these bombs could see it.

errrr, props for thinking outside the box, but don't they salt DH racecourses to make them icier and faster??? Wouldn't it make the crust thicker?

[Jer]

One word - NAPALM! Exterminate the brutes!

[tkm5337]

terrific babybear....

yeah...i HIGHLY encourage any and all mags in Jackson (and beyond) to round up some beer, thank you cards, cookies, ANYTHING. a simple note with a word from all your buddies just to say THANKS. patrol puts their lives on the line everyday for us....and now all this. theyre getting slid and injured left and right. theyre dropping up to their waists, chests, necks in the bowls punching through windcrusts to run routes. their families are making enormous sacrifices so we can ride safely. their tireless (but hopefully not thankless) job = our safety. please remember

[JoeStrummer]

just wanted to bump this so maybe someone who makes these bombs could see it.

Classic!! Nice work.