Front Range

Avalanche

Everett Phillips · May 11, 2019 · Front Range

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Weather

Flattop Mountain, RMNP, ATL, SE aspect, 1300hrs Sky: FEW Winds: Moderate, NW Precip: S-1 Wind: Transport observed previous Temp: Near 0C (freezing point)

Snowpack

Flattop Mountain, RMNP, ATL, SE aspect, 1300hrs. Surface: dry to moist snow composed of wind-broken precipitation particles HS: 0 to over 300 cm (wind scouring on ridgeline and deep wind deposits in lee start zones) HST: 25 cm Layer of Concern: 20190508 new/old interface (precipitation particles above strong melt-freeze crust) Slab properties: hard slab, 30cm to 100cm thick, made up of wind-broken precipitation particles Ski penetration was 5-10cm where the avalanche was triggered.

Avalanche

HS-AS-R2-D2, SE aspect, ATL, 45 degrees Multiple WS-N-R1-D1 on S and SE aspects, NTL, 35 to 45 degrees At approx. 11:00 AM 20190511 Rangers in RMNP responded to an avalanche incident in the "Dead Elk Couloir." The size 2 avalanche that initiated our response was determined to have been triggered by a solo skier entering the couloir from the ridgeline above. Two visitors were partially buried, but fortunately there were no full burials and no significant injuires.