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which is windier - narrow or wide

Original Post
Cliff M · · San Jose, CA · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 80

hypothetical
you are at a high point on a peak and it is really windy. You want to descend and have two otherwise equal options, a narrower valley/gulch and a wider one (say it is twice as wide, or more). If distance/steepness and routefinding are all otherwise equal, which will have higher wind speeds? The narrow or the wide drainage?

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

I suspect that it may depend on the orientation of the valley relative to the wind direction. For winds perpendicular to the long axis of the valley, it is likely that the narrow valley would provide greater shelter. For winds parallel to the valley axis, the narrow valley could potentially suffer from some sort of funnelling/amplification effect. Lot of potential variables here, so I imagine that finding one correct answer is impossible.

Kevin Zagorda · · Glen Haven, Co · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 600

In my experience whichever option you choose will inevitably turn out to be the windiest.

KevinCO · · Loveland, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 60

A Venturi Effect will increase wind speed if the narrow route is parallel to the direction of the wind.

Scott O · · Anchorage · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 70

If parallel to wind - narrow will be windier

If perpendicular to wind - wide will be windier

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Mountaineering
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