Front Range

Avalanche

Nick Barlow · Apr 21, 2017 · Front Range

View on map

Weather

OVC and seeder-feeder snowfall turned convective and squall-like shortly after 12pm. Warm and calm BTL, turning breezy NTL. ATL, it was cold & blustery with poor visibility and drifting snow at times. Periods of sunshine quickly interrupted by convective showers rolling up the Fraser Valley.

Snowpack

Much less storm snow (2-3") BTL, with a half-frozen slushy layer below it. This layer was collapsible underfoot, but I did not see any instability at lower elevations. Slushy layer should freeze tonight. Much different story ATL, where underlying layer was well frozen and very firm. Encountered drifts 2'+ in loaded areas, and recent storm snow near ridgetop was in the 7-9" range. Some cracking from ski tips as I encountered consolidated surface slabs.

Avalanche

(3) Small, natural Wind Slab avalanches. All initiated at ridgetop and/or near cornice features.