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Observations from Talking Mt.
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Location Name: Talking Mt. Region: Echo Summit Area Date and time of observation: Thu, 01/07/2016 - 12:00 |
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Location Map: United States
38° 50' 6.6768" N, 120° 4' 14.6604" W
See map: Google Maps
US
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Red Flags: Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain Obvious avalanche path Terrain Trap |
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation:
During periods of good visibility touring in the Echo Lake area the only evidence of natural avalanche activity were small crowns on steep rocky NE facing slopes just below Flagpole Peak. Good views of slopes further in Desolation did not show evidence of recent avalanche activity.
Photo 1: On ridge between Becker and Talking Mt., cracking on steeper wind loaded ridge top test slopes was observed.
Photo 2: Descending Talking Mt. all skiers in our party triggered small soft slab avalanches on the steeper terrain at the midslope rollover. These avalanches were likely the result of Storm Slab instabilities and were 2-5 inches deep and ran for about 75 feet. This photo is looking up towards the starting zone of one of the slides.
Photo 3: Looking down towards some of the debris.
Photo 4: Small crowns from an apparently natural slide below Flagpole Peak. These were the only evidence we noticed of natural activity during our tour. Descending Flagpole peak we did not notice any skier triggered slides despite multiple tracks in the area.
