MAMMOTH MONSTER: First hand report
Mammoth, for the second season in a row, just got crushed right on New Year’s. From my perspective it looked like ten feet of snow (on the ski area) in less than 36 hours, all in one amazing continuous, but totally silent and windless, blast of snowfall. I live in town at the 8000’ level, and a solid 6 feet of snow fell at my house. Shoveling the drive sucked, I can tell you that much.
For all you folks wishing to ski in 10 feet of fresh pow, here’s the reality check: the avalanche hazard is as high as it gets. During the storm we clearly heard two very large, sustained slides, most likely on the Sherwins, the local powder stash. At breakfast, I watched a major avalanche release near my house while eating my cereal. It happened in an area of the local frontcountry where I ski frequently for its safety and general stability (sheltered, well-anchored old-growth forest). While I would not be surprised to see surface sluffing in this area, this particular slide was big enough to take out a good-sized high school.
The ski area got whomped, pure and simple. With 125” total out of the storm cycle, sitting on top of two ultra-dense 30”+ storms from earlier in the week, the accumulation is huge. Control work and natural slides left massive crowns and debris piles that went on long journeys across the flats before coming to a halt. The snow was so cohesive that it was able to pile up 5 or six feet before naturally releasing. With the windloading that followed the storm, there’s probably more control work to do two days later. But one thing is for sure- we’ve got a good base.
There were avalanches in residential areas during the storm. The Mather family was surprised to find the wall of their dining room smashed in (and luckily no-one hurt). A friend drove down to LA on Hwy 395 and reported massive avalanches all the way down the East Side of the Sierra, from Mammoth the Lone Pine.
During the storm large avalanches crossed Hwy 395 north of Mammoth, stranding hundreds of vacationers in June Lake and other small towns.
Essentially any loaded roof, hillside, or tree is an avalanche hazard right now. If you were standing beneath a tree and the branches unloaded and stuffed you into the tree well, you would most likely die. It is amazing to me that there are approximately 30,000 visitors in town right now, all of them oblivious to the fact that they are in the midst of a red alert situation. It was painfully clear during the storm just how close to chaos we were, and were a storm like this to happen in any other town (ie one not equipped with millions of dollars of heavy snow-removal equipment), it would have been a true disaster.
With thousands of people in Hummers gridlocking the town to shop or rent movies, the cops and EMT’s were probably having a hell of time responding to emergencies.
A choice quote from forecaster Sue Burak’s local avvy report: “Avalanche danger is EXTREME on all aspects above 6,000 feet. Widespread and large natural avalanches are certain. Human triggered avalanches are certain. Avalanche terrain and runout zones should be avoided.” The town roads are clear now, and we’re just about dug out- so come on up and have some fun- just come prepared (chains/4x4, shovel, etc.), and stay safe.