Front Range

Avalanche

Anonymous · Nov 15, 2015 · Front Range

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Weather

Very warm (46F in parking lot at noon according to car sensor); Clear; much colder in shade at 10,500 and above

Snowpack

Variable. Continuous snow from parking lot (this was a pleasant surprise). 20-40cm depth on flat and SE-facing slopes near approach trail from 9200-10000'. Southerly forested slopes from 10000-10600: approximately 10-50cm depth, with active surface melt in sun-exposed areas. Above 10600: Wind effects pronounced in all but most sheltered locations. Thin to 20cm wind slabs common, with lots of complexity near treeline. In sheltered locations, 30-60cm soft slab over weak basal facets. (I did not dig, but did lots of pole probing and a couple quickie hand pits.) More snow accumulation than I expected, but still very hazardous "skiing" due to stumps/logs/rocks. I did not go above treeline, but wind effects and preferential deposition were obvious, as expected. Large cornices

Avalanche

None observed.