Front Range
AvalancheAndy Hansen · Feb 21, 2017 · Front Range
Weather
Temperatures were estimated to be in the mid-20's. Winds were calm out of the west. Sky was clear. Elevation was roughly 12,400'. N/NE Aspect. About 1/3 of the way up the Drainpipe Couloir on Mt. Parnassus' North Face. 1045AM.
Snowpack
Snowpack varied from 45cm deep down to 140cm deep in the couloir itself. A lot of wind drifted snow at the top of the couloir. Loose, unconsolidated new snow often lay undisturbed on top of a pencil hard old snow surface. Hand shears revealed, in some locations, 10-20cm new snow forming F hard slabs on top of P hard slabs that were resting on top of a faceted layer roughly 45cm down.
Avalanche
No avalanches observed, however, a large collapse was observed at roughly 12,400' elevation in the Drainpipe. The collapse was localized and the snow roughly 3m in any direction seemed to have failed.