Front Range
AvalancheAndrew McLean · Mar 1, 2021 · Front Range
Weather
Sunny and cold. Strong winds from the West. Gusty on ridge tops and at Emerald Lake. Obvious wind depositing on East facing slopes from the new snow on Saturday 2-27.
Snowpack
It appeared 6-10" of fresh snow had fallen in the last day. As usual in RMNP high winds were creating a think wind slab on top of previously wind hammered slab.
Avalanche
We observed multiple debri piles below Dragon's Tail and Deak Elk couloirs. We skinned up the apron between the two couloirs. As we were at the apron we observed a natural wind slab release occur at the top of the Dragon's Tail couloir's right Y. The slide released below the cornice and ran full path 2000ft to just above Emerald Lake. We observed 4 riders descending the line of the slide path from the left Y about 20 minutes prior to this avalanche. R2 D2 SS Aspect SE. Slope angle 50 degrees at the crown and about 45 degrees in the path.