Front Range
AvalancheMike Lewis · Feb 16, 2016 · Front Range
Weather
Warm, above freezing where we practiced Companion Rescue down low near the parking lot; light wind (wind in Estes Park was far more intense). Later in the day, the temps dropped as the sun fell. The wind increased to moderate up high in the bowl. Scattered clouds moving quickly from the NW high above the ridge.
Snowpack
The new snow in exposed S facing subareas below 10,500' became relatively isothermal - damp snowballs; as the sun fell, the top 2cm became a breakable crust. At the same elevations, shaded areas held the heavy powder that fell in the last 2 days. Great skiing. Above 10,500', there were variable conditions including nice heavy powder to powder with 1cm wind/sun crusts, to scoured ice, to hardpacked windboard with a nicely skiable 1-2cm ski-pen chalky surface.
Avalanche
None observed.