Front Range
AvalancheTravis Rollins · Apr 26, 2024 · Front Range
Weather
Heavy cloud cover covered the summit of the groups objective. Cloud cover cleared as the morning went on and winds increased to a steady 25-35mph as the group approached the summit.
Snowpack
The group observed 6-8 inches of fresh snow on top of a semi frozen melt freeze crust. The melt freeze crust appeared to be more supportive at higher elevations (starting at 10,900 and ascending to 12,400).
Avalanche
Two splitboarders departed at approximately 8:00AM on the south side of berthoud pass. The two planned to ascend the east ridge of Stanley Mountain and descend the Stanley Slide Path (SE Aspect) back down to a second vehicle lower on the highway, with a backup plan of riding the east ridge back to the first vehicle. The route and weather were both discussed the day prior, and the avalanche forecast was discussed on site, prior to heading up the trail. Both riders discussed and understood the likelihood of encountering wind slab in and around the objective. The weather at the time of departure was overcast with heavier cloud cover preventing a good view of the summit from the road. Riders 1 and 2 ascended from 10,900 to 11,400 and engaged with a SE facing test slope, after seeing some minor cracking that did not extend beyond board length. The test slope showed no additional signs of instability. The riders continued ascending to 11,750 and as they approached tree line, they observed a strengthening melt freeze crust as well as stronger winds and wind transported snow on the east facing ridge. Multiple hand sheer tests were conducted along the ridge all the way to the summit at 12,400 all of which did not present planar results. Both riders discussed the presence of a large cornice on the south ridge, as well as obvious wind loading in and around the SE facing objective, the riders summited and transitioned for their decent. Both riders discussed descending the east ridge as being the safer option but assessed that any windslab encountered would be manageable in size and decided to ascend into the SE facing slide path. Due to the cornice on the south ridge of the slide path, the riders assessed that the best plan would be to decent 50-100 vertical feet back down the east ridge and enter the slide path from lower on the ridge. The group noticed some additional minor cracking, not extending beyond board length, as the descended to the entrance. After additional discussion about the observations, the two riders felt comfortable continuing to engage with the objective and Rider 1 entered the path first while rider 2 held position at the chosen entrance. Almost immediately as Rider 1 began to traverse into the slide path, the slope propagated outward and upward from Rider 1. Propagation extended approximately 50 feet upward, then 100 feet across the slope, with a crown line approximately 6-8 inches deep. Rider 1 was swept off of their feet and slid approximately 20-30 feet downslope before successfully self arresting. The remainder of the debris flowed 400-500 feet down into the basin below. Both riders were able to quickly discuss the situation and decided to exit the slide path and safely descended the east ridge back to their vehicle.