Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · Apr 5, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Bear Lake and Willow Park weather stations were reporting a foot of new snow over the course of the storm. Temperatures in the teens after overnight single digit lows. Active wind transport noted at the continental divide, along ridgelines and plenty of wind near treeline as well. Wind direction was variable, as seems to be the case in RMNP. Lots of swirling once you reach the alpine, but fairly consistent down valley wind at and below treeline. Slowly receding cloud layer from the storm. Blue sky growing as the morning progressed.
Snowpack
Protected snow below treeline had little to no wind effect. 8"-12" new snow. Snow out in the open was still soft storm snow but showing signs of wind. The same statement is true for snow at treeline, with increased wind effect and greater denisty. On SE aspects, snow above treeline was the more dense, with a 1-2" soft wind skin on the surface. Wind slab up to 4" thick was found as elevation increased. Some low areas had less effect but dense, wind effected snow was widespread above treeline. Snow above treeline appeared slightly discolored when doing hand shears, suggesting dust had also fallen with it. Below the storm snow and above treeline was a very stiff, supportive layer (~4"-6").
Avalanche
Very close call. A natural R3-4/D2 avalanche came down Dragons Tail and narrowly missed my partner and I as we were getting ready to transition and ski down the apron, having decided going higher in the couloir was not an option. Both were tucked into safe zones under the rocks of the central buttress splitting Dragons Tail and Dead Elk. The elevation, depth and width of the crown was not observed. The tongue of the avalanche almost reached the lake, was about 200 feet wide and debris consisted of soft storm snow as opposed to hard slab (we think).