Front Range
AvalancheNick Barlow · Feb 8, 2018 · Front Range
Weather
Windy at the trailhead, much calmer through B/NTL elevations. Variable winds ATL, with stronger gusts between periods of calm. Mostly OVC, but periods of sunshine and passing clouds. Very light off/on snow showers throughout the day.
Snowpack
I traveled on SE/E/NE-facing slopes B/NTL, and also E/NE slopes just ATL. Snowpack is continuous B/NTL, with measured HS in the 80-120cm range. Heavy previous wind-drifting well into the BTL elevation band. Snow coverage becomes variable to non-existent ATL, other than isolated E/SE-facing slopes holding thicker slabs. There are two prominent weak layers. The first is near-surface facets 30cm down, with easy CT scores but no propagation in ECTs. Middle snowpack features a strong (P-) slab of of faceting rounds. Depth hoar near the ground was the layer of concern. Repeatable, stubborn ECTs observed on this layer, with relatively clean failure planes. Observed (2) noticeable collapses while traveling in thinner areas, as my weight collapsed depth hoar near the ground.
Avalanche
Observed debris and faintly-visible crown line from a natural avalanche a few days old. Hard slab broke in a wind-drifted bowl, just below ridgetop. Appears to have broke to the ground about halfway down.