Major avalanche activity on the Alright/Wimpys massif.
It was pretty crazy driving up to the park this morning and checking out all of the avalanche activity…especially on runs like Wimpys and Albright that get regular traffic. My guess is that most of these slides occurred yesterday, before noon. It didn’t look like anyone had been up in that area for a day or two (for obvious reason) so these slides are believed to be triggered naturally. Wild stuff…and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Wimpys slide like that before. Needless to say, I opted to ski elsewhere today, but still observed 2-3″ cracks in the snow that opened up between laps.
2-3 inch wide cracks opened up in the snow between laps today. Biggest I’ve ever seen!!
It’s a little spine tingling seeing these avalanches, because this is an area where I go quite often to ski powder. Add in the fact that the slide on Wimpys pulled out all the way to the ridge and through the trees to the skiers left, and in an area where one would think would be a safe zone. In addition, it looked as though there was some solid avalanche activity on Olive Oil as well. Also spine tingling, because I was up there a couple days ago on the front end of this latest storm.
that is terrifying…remember skiing that slide path in 24″ new!!??!
shit bfein…i remember a lot of times skiing it with lots of new snow. glad i wasn’t there when it ripped!
WELCOME TO COLORADO!!
hehehe…good one!
thanks for posting these, Steve.
any idea what 25 Short looked like?
is there any way we can keep a list of what has slid to the ground?
have a look at the pics – it’s not sliding to the ground, the 10 inches of October/November sugar is being left for a re-load, with it’s upper surface made harder/slicker as the 5 foot slab slides off and over it.
at about 1pm…the main slide path looked in tact and untracked. in regards to the list thing…sounds like a job for those BTNF guys. anyway…seems like it’s beginning to feel a bit like…let’s see…last year?! hard to say if we’ve seen the worst of it yet.
Important documentation here, SR. I think I saw only two slopes yesterday during a quick overview that didn’t have major slide activity. Rampant, widespread, small to very large avalanches, all aspects and elevations. And it’s now -25, and we have half our normal snowpack. Hmmmmm…
‘ = feet
” = inches
Before I saw that caption, I was wondering what the @!%* you were doing skiing where 2-3 foot wide crevasses were opening around you. something along the lines of HOLYCRAP THAT IS THE MOST DANGERO…oh, he means inches…
wups…thanks sam. either way…have you ever seen 3 INCH wide shooting cracks? creepy!
‘ = feet
” = inches
Yes, that can be a mistake with consequences. Just ask Nigel about the time stone henge was presented at spinal taps detroit auditorium show.
Thanks for sharing Steve. Important stuff to consider as the weekend approaches.
Howdy Steve,
My timing for the visit was terrible…went up Whimpys, kinda sorta scary!
Steve: From the Kootenays so don’t know these slopes by name. I’m wondering if that slide farthest to looker’s right in the top photo moved completely through that thickly treed spur/ridge. I can see that it released above it but could you tell if the slide went through those trees on just fell of the ridge to either side into that gully on looker’s left and slope on lker’s right? Thanks
Sup DV…sorry about our snowpack. Heard it was settling big time on Sunday up there. Kinda like a war zone!!!
james…i believe the avy debris went on both sides of the ridge. But really, the whole north side (looker’s right) of the ridge ripped into the canyon to the lookers right as well.
Jim,
Thank you for sending the pictures. UNBELIEVABLE !!! How save is “being very careful” ??? Looks like nothing is “bullet-proof. Changes my outlook on the tours in the park. Never seen anything like it!
Gracias,
Pepi
ummm…pepi? it’s actually….steve. maybe you’re thinkijng of anohter jackson hole based website.
glad you like the pictures. hope to see you on wimpys soon!!! 😉