Front Range
AvalancheJP Pickell · Mar 11, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Morning (0715-1230) - Temp: 20-25F ; Sky: obscured, low cloud cover (12k ft or below) ; Precip: S1 for most of the morning ; Wind: NW, Moderate Afternoon (1230-1630) - Temp: 20-25F ; Sky: FEW to SCT ; Precip: None ; Wind: W, Moderate.
Snowpack
New snow in the last 24 hours up to 35 cm in wind affected areas. MCfr on S/SE apects NTL below the storm snow (noticeable and supportable on the down, did not break through). Dug a pit in a shallower area on a N aspect, NTL on the second creek ridge (slope angle 25-30 degrees). HS 100 cm. Overall very weak snowpack structure. On the hand hardness scale observed 100-68cm (F - new snow in last ~24 hrs), 68-51cm (4F), 51-43cm (F), 43cm-ground (F or less). Compression test results: CTE8 @ 68cm, CTM18 @51 cm, CTH25 @ 10cm. ECTX. The compression test result in the storm snow was consistent with what we observed on the up and down on all aspect travelled during the day (N, NE, E, S, SE) which was minor cracking around skis but no propagation or shooting cracks. Minor sluffing observed on steeper slopes and/or test slopes.
Avalanche
Natural on the current creek headwall, likely wind slab or storm slab