Front Range
AvalancheJeff Welch · Apr 17, 2015 · Front Range
Weather
Overcast. Snowfall intensity increasing from S-1 at 6pm to S4 by dusk. Moderate winds from ESE.
Snowpack
Approx 6-10" of new snow, depending on aspect and location. ESE winds were transporting new snow near ridgeline, scouring typical start zones and crossloading small features in atypical places. In small crossloaded pockets, we experienced some minor cracking in the new snow, propogating 1-2 feet past ski tips. Once about 50ft below ridge top, snow was not being transported significantly. New snow was slightly upside-down, with the top 3-4" a bit denser than the snow below. Very firm crust underneath the new snow.
Avalanche
Experienced some D1 dry loose sloughs on steep ENE facing terrain at treeline, seeming to run on the density change in the new snow rather than on the old/new interface.