Front Range
AvalancheCMS AIARE Level 1 · Jan 27, 2018 · Front Range
Weather
Obs from 9,000-10,000 ft: Partly Cloudy, moderate winds with strong gusts from the SW, moderate Blowing snow. Cold Temps and wind chill. No Precip.
Snowpack
3" NS reported in last two days, with strong winds yesterday and overnight, there was lots of evidence of recent wind slab formation, stronger mid-pack found on top of large basal facets small NSF layers found down 30 cm @ 9600 on NW slopes and down 50 @ 10,000 on E slopes Basal facets and depth hoar down 49cm @ 9600 on NW slopes and down 120 @ 10,000 on E (wind loaded slope) Pit @ 9,600 NW slope had CTH SC on the basal facet layer with an ECTX Pit @ 10,000 E slope had CTM SC on the mid pack facet layer down 50cm Pit @ 9900 NNW slope had CTM SC down 20 ECTN 22
Avalanche
Around 9,700 on NW small slope feature, groups were able to to kick off small isolated pockets of wind slab than ran 1-2ft with wind slab varying 3"-7"