Front Range

Avalanche

Thomas Horner · Nov 24, 2019 · Front Range

Weather

Clear skies. 30 degrees. 10-20mph wind from the W/NW.

Snowpack

We tried to get a full profile but the wind transport was so heinous that we had to give up. Our pit was 176cm deep and mostly wind slab. Three distinct hard slabs about a 6-12" thick each sat on top of weak crusts. The top slab released while isolating a column for shear tests. Those hard slabs are sitting on top of storm snow and that whole thing was sitting on a mix of facets and hard ice. Surface temperature was -11 deg C at 2:00pm. This was on the glacier to climber's left of the usual ascent trail. SE aspect, 10,800ft, 25 degree slope.

Avalanche

1. Natural hard slab release to the south of the top of the headwall. Ran maybe 60ft. Looked to be 30 degrees, SE aspect, ~11,500ft. Didn't step down beyond the surface slab. Crown was 2-3 feet? 2. Natural ard slab release to climbers left of the more mellow slope of the "glacier," after the initial climb above the lake. 30 degrees, SE aspect, ~10,900ft. Didn't step down beyond the surface slab. Crown was 1-4feet.