Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 30, 2020Submitted:
December 30, 2020Observer:
TAC - Steve GatelyZone or Region:
Taos AreaLocation:
Long Canyon - Natural AvalanchesSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
IsolatedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
PoorConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
ImprovingBottom Line
There was evidence of natural avalanche activity from the previous 48hrs on North, East, and Southeast aspects. It's obvious that we are dealing with a sensitive snowpack and it will take some time for this instability to adjust. Human-triggered avalanches are still likely on these aspects near and above tree line.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ClearTemperature:
14Wind:
Calm , NClear and sunny skies with calm winds. By early afternoon the solar aspects were taking heat.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Past 48 hours |
Long Canyon E 11,800' |
D1.5 | SS | O-Old Snow | 2' | N-Natural | Several natural D1-1.5 avalanches that failed on buried facets within old snow. |
|
| 2 | Past 48 hours |
Long Canyon E 11,800' |
D2 | SS | O-Old Snow | 2' | N-Natural | This large D2 avalanche was likely triggered by a wind slab avalanche from a cornice fall. This initial wind slab avalanche would break into buried facets within the old snow. |
|
There were at least three other natural avalanches observed including one on a Southeast Aspect. This is the second natural avalanche observed on that aspect. We continue to predominately observe recent natural activity on North and East aspects. This was likely to do wind loading from strong winds from Dec 27-28
Snowpack Observations
All of these natural avalanches appeared to fail into a layer of facets just beneath a decomposing wind slab buried about 2' down.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Terrain Use
Long Canyon is almost entirely avalanche terrain and it can be a difficult place to access the ridgeline. We traveled up a heavily wooded Southerly aspect that held very little old snow. We opted to descend the same route.
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