Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · Jan 2, 2014 · Front Range
Avalanche
A party of backcountry skiers triggered an extensive avalanche on an easterly aspect around noon on 2/1. They called the Clear Creek Country Sheriff to report that no-one was caught, and the CAIC to report the avalanche. The narrative is from their conversation and follow-up information.
Party was skiing the southeast-most “run†on Pt 12118 (sometimes called Sunshine Peak). A skier triggered a small pocket on a convex roll. They estimated the dimensions of the pocket as 5 feet by 5 feet. “…initially...we saw the pocket, which was isolated. We didn't see any cracks or movement from that pocket. Seconds later the ridge started moving†in an “enormous†amount of snow. They were about four hundred vertical feet below the avalanche crown.
The crown extended northwards along the ridge. The face is very steep, rocky, with extensive cross loading. Several avalanche paths drain from the face, and debris flowed down three of them.
Party was skiing the southeast-most “run†on Pt 12118 (sometimes called Sunshine Peak). A skier triggered a small pocket on a convex roll. They estimated the dimensions of the pocket as 5 feet by 5 feet. “…initially...we saw the pocket, which was isolated. We didn't see any cracks or movement from that pocket. Seconds later the ridge started moving†in an “enormous†amount of snow. They were about four hundred vertical feet below the avalanche crown.
The crown extended northwards along the ridge. The face is very steep, rocky, with extensive cross loading. Several avalanche paths drain from the face, and debris flowed down three of them.