Front Range

Avalanche

Anonymous · Dec 15, 2018 · Front Range

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Weather

Cool temperatures, gradually clearing skies, and moderate to strong gusty westerly winds.

Snowpack

St. Marys Below TL on E and SE aspects: HS averaged 50-60 cm in wind sheltered areas and trended upwards to >1 meter in areas that have seen consistent wind-loading this season. Found evidence of harder slabs (Late Nov./Early Dec. storm snow) resting on weaker facets in areas that have been moderately wind affected. Compression tests on an E aspect below TL with an HS of 70 cm produced consistent "sudden drops" on a facet layer down about 30 cm. Really deep areas had considerably less faceting throughout the snowpack. Observed evidence of previous melting and re-freezing on the snow surface in areas that tilted more to the SE. Westerly winds continued to drift snow near and above TL on the slopes above the lake with intermitted blowing snow below TL.

Avalanche

We did not observe any recent avalanches.