Observation type
Avalanche

Observer
Jimmy Guilinger

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
Mount Baden Powell (NE coulouirs above Big Horn trail and Lamel Spring gully)

Latitude
34.36886 

Longitude
-117.75508

Date (yyyymmdd)
20210228

Time
2pm

Road conditions to area
clear

Temperature
30-40 deg F 

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Moderate (17-25mph Small trees sway/ flags stretched)

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North

Aspect in degrees
NE couloirs and N gully (Lamel Springs)

Slope angle
~30 degrees in Lamel Gully and ~40 degrees in NE couloirs

Elevation
7000-8500'

Snow depth
Multiple feet in N-facing gullies, dry on southerly aspects

Boot/ Ski penetration
Moderate surface penetration

Precipitation
None

Activity, recent avalanches
yes

Brief description
Wet avalanche runout debris (probably from earlier in the week during warm period based on previous reports)

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
no

Obvious avalanche path
yes

Terrain trap
yes

Comment
While ascending NE couloirs of Baden Powell on Sunday morning 2/28/21, observed two distinct wet avalanche runouts/deposits (likely from earlier in the week during warm period based on previous observations posted to website). Avalanche debris reformed into ice clasts as observed by clinking by ice axe/crampons. Approx lat/long: 34.361541, -117.749394 (no photos taken) 

Additionally, while descending on foot/glissading along Lamel Spring gully observed (and photographed, see attached) two distinct avalanche deposition zones and an obvious source area (also likely triggered during previous warm spell, 2nd photo showing bare ground source area). This debris was also refrozen-clasts and notably contained significant woody material and rocks in line with source area showing scour all the way to bare surface. Approx lat/long: 34.36886, -117.75508

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published
Picture
Avy runout debris #1 (climber shown for scale)
Picture
Avy runout #2 with source area