Front Range

Avalanche

Todd Bol · May 21, 2018 · Front Range

View on map

Weather

Warm, humid, and sunny, above 40 degrees F, NE Facing aspect above treeline

Snowpack

Consolidated base with ~ one inch of fresh snow on top, rapidly melting. Conditions were very stable until the steeper section before the summit (closer to 40 degree slope).

Avalanche

We didn't trigger anything large, but as we were nearing the top of Sawtooth's NE face (10 am) things rapidly began to deteriorate and move around on us - small point release that moved slow and entrained the new snow, rollerballs and sloppy snow when making turns. Mostly supportable on skis, breaking through in boots 6 to 8 inches down. We escaped as fast as possible as all signs were pointing towards impending wet slides.