Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · Jan 16, 2016 · Front Range
Weather
Mostly cloudy with light to moderate snow showers throughout the tour. Light winds (up to 10 mph) below 11,300' and moderate to high winds (maybe 30 mph with 40 mph gusts) above treeline generally from the N/NW.
Snowpack
Few new inches of snow; NE to SE aspect slopes were wind loaded.
Avalanche
Large wind slab avalanche debris and crown face observed on NE to E aspects above treeline. Crown face was drifting in; we estimate it slid about 2-4 days prior (1/11-1/13). Slide started at the far south end of Current Creek Bowl and extended to the north near Current Creek Cirque. Slide was about 300 m long and ran to the decrease in slope gradient below (extended to an elevation of about 11,740' on the south end (see debris in photo)). Assuming the bowl slid as one avalanche, the slide is about 700 m wide. Crown face appeared to be about 1 - 2 m and was starting to drift in. Avalanche slid to ground on the north side (see photo).