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Taos Avalanche Center

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 12, 2023
Submitted:
March 13, 2023
Zone or Region:
Taos Area
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
No Name Lower Bowl @ Treeline

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

N to NNE face @ 11,900ft
Snowing mostly groppel all day with up to 8” fresh
Snowpack depth 260cm

ECTN 16 with shear planar fracture 25cm down on mid-February MF crust and wind layer
(Significant 2mm rounds above and below fracture level)

CT 14 with shear planar fracture 25 down
(Same surface as ECTN)

Media

Average snowpack depth on N/NE faces between 220-260cm

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
Significant planar shearing on on MF and wind crust layer with both ECT and CT
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Persistent Slab
Comments: 
We came up 80-100cm short of the ground with our pit but were already running into basal facets. Very hard to trigger given current snowpack depth.
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