Chockstone couloir fan

Submitted by
sorachristopher
Observations date
Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 19:22
Location
51.311860° N 115.940260° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Chockstone couloir fan

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Convex slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Warm
Avalanche conditions
  • Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Comments

Skinning up Chockstone couloir to see how it’s filling in. Near the choke of the couloir we felt a small whumpf followed by a massive whumpf and shooting cracks propagating from a thin snow covered rock across the slope 10m above skier. Felt like the entire snowpack settled on the basal facets. 1cm fist snow wind skin forming in open areas.

Observed a new natural dry loose 1.5 across the valley on the way down at 1315. Apx 2350m elevation ran 35-40m on a S.W. aspect. Sky was broken precip nil winds light and variable with an air temp of -2.4.

Shooting crack highlighted in red. Crack was about 10m above skier and 20m across.
First crack middle right side of frame.
Fresh natural size 1 dry loose. Time 1145 elevation 2350m East facing on convex roll/corner. 5cm deep, apx 30 degree slope. Ran 25m. Skies overcast, precip nil, winds light gusting mod and variable in direction.