Observation: Public

Location:

Coalman Glacier & Reid Headwall Apron

Did you observe any avalanches? 

Yes

Comments:

Learned of first slide from descending climber and verified from well below (pic 1). Ran prior to the 6/1 per climber’s obs. Almost exact same location (but wider propogation at estimated 100-150)’ ) as one I submitted a couple weeks back (Coalman Glacier, skier’s right exit from Old Chute). Also likely wind (or maybe weekend’s 6” storm) slab that from pic seemed to be triggered by falling/tumbling rime or rock. Same slide path through Hot Rocks w debris terminus just below it. Since I wanted to submit my own obs below, figured I’d note it. Possibly post-storm frequent offender to keep in mind on impacted climbing routes.

Next 4 pics capture the Reid Headwall Apron slide. Given crown highlighting, seemed to be a “wall-to-wall” propogation of that mini cirque similar to the one that recently occurred on the adjacent Leutold apron. Also appeared to be triggered from a very large tumbling rock or rollerball so wind or maybe storm slab from the weekend’s accumlation followed by Tuesday’s first warming? Good news is it didn’t run far due to low slope angle of the glacier. Bad news per one of those four pics is the Bergshrund (I aim to spell that differently every time I write it…) appears to be opening.

Final pics capture general conditions and spring time threats. To summarize: shading seems good for reducing instability, Hood upper elevation whiteouts appear to be almost clockwork this time of year and if rock/rimefall, warm snow instabilities, opening crevasses and whiteout risk weren’t enough, I saw the final pic as an omen of one more threat to soon mind.