Front Range

Avalanche

Brian, Joe - Lazar, Messina · Nov 23, 2015 · Front Range

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Weather

Clear day with calm to light winds gusting to moderate on ridgeline. No precip. HS varied significantly with wind distributed snow.

Snowpack

Snowpack exhibited high strength/poor structure setup typically associated with a Persistent Slab avalanche problem. No results on a standard ECT test. ECT failure did occur deep in the snowpack when the top 40 cm was removed (see video). Surface slabs are stiffening on all aspects. Wind effects have reached down below treeline. Slabs below treeline are becoming less isolated and more specific.

Avalanche

Avalanche located on NE aspect of Mt. Trelease above treeline. This avalanche is visible from Herman Gulch Trailhead. Most likely ran on November 21. Skier triggered on shallow part of slab (1-2 ft thick). Appears to have started on crust-facet combo and stepped down to basal depth hoar layer, pulling out to the ground. Similar to results in snowpack tests.