Front Range
AvalancheJeff Welch · Dec 29, 2017 · Front Range
Weather
Broken clouds in AM, gradually giving way to Few clouds. No precipitation, temperature warming considerably as cloud cover cleared. Moderate winds with Strong gusts near and below treeline. Blowing snow at ridgelines implied stronger winds above treeline.
Snowpack
Did not dig. Wind crust and suncrust forming on surface in many open areas. Widespread collapsing was heard and felt on SE aspects near treeline.
Avalanche
Many recent avalanches were visible, mostly on shaded aspects (E through NW), ranging from R1 to R2 and D1.5 to D2. Named paths were recent avalanches were visible included: 1) Floral Meadow 2) Vigilante (90s area) 3) Top Secret (90s area, pictured) 4) The Knuckle (Fingers Area) 5) Sentinel Chute (Hells Half Acre) 6) Nitro Chute (West Side, more recent than slide reported 12/24/17). Triggers and timing unknown, although several appeared to be fresh within the last few days, while others had crowns obscured by wind and probably ran during the Christmas storm cycle.