Front Range

Avalanche

CMS AIARE 2 · Jan 7, 2018 · Front Range

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Weather

At 10600' winds were 10-30 mph out of the west. Visibility was obscured by significant blowing snow. Very minimal snow during the day.

Snowpack

At 10600 on NE aspect in Andrews Creek observed 20-25 cm of wind deposited new snow. New snow showed signs of limited cohesion, and was failing easily on old snow surface with hand shears and shovel tilts. This new snow was sitting on top of a thick 1 finger hard slab. Localized cracking observed around skis in multiple leeward rollovers. Minimal snow coverage on trails, in creek beds, and on upper elevation slopes.

Avalanche

We observed an avalanche that recently occurred below the Loch Vale Ice climbing zone. This is a north facing slope, below treeline. It was a soft slab failing in the storm snow, <D1, ran short distance, failed in unsupported terrain. Trigger unknown.