Front Range
AvalancheWil Rickards · May 19, 2017 · Front Range
Weather
Sunny in the morning, started to snow after 12 pm
Snowpack
Over the last 36 hours 2 feet of fresh snow fell without much wind. The top of Mines (usually scoured had at least 1 1/2 feet.) Skied from the summit. Upper slope had no base. Earlier in the morning the snow was light. As the day progressed the snow set up more and became heavier. Heard a lot of minor settling when away from the skin track but did not see any shooting cracks. Dug a pit at the top of the meadows. (North facing, 11,920 ft) Top 2 feet was fresh (with layers), not much adhesion to the established pack. Lower half of the established pack was wet. A confusion of winter and spring conditions.
Avalanche
In the morning saw debris from a distance; one slide on hidden knoll NE facing. Looked like cliffs had warmed and dropped debris on to the pack below which had then slid. Another on Mt Russell (similar aspect).