Front Range
AvalancheMaxwell Strotbeck · May 8, 2022 · Front Range
Weather
Temp was in the low 40s at 5am at the TH at 9500ft. Skies were mostly cloudy to overcast before 1130, then turned to partly cloudy before becoming overcast and raining around 1730. Windy throughout the day, with with west winds gusting 30mph+ on a north-south running ridge-line that we traveled on from 12,200ft-12950ft. With clouds and wind the temperature seemed to stay near freezing for the most part above treeline.
Snowpack
The snow at the TH did not freeze, though it was fairly supportive and became more supportive around 10,500ft. We descended a north facing slope above treeline around 1130. The snow was wind scoured and a bit heavy, and started sticking to the bottom of my skis around 12,000ft. When the cloud coverage decreased on our way out the snow surface began to deteriorate.
Avalanche
We noted about 30 loose-wet avalanches throughout our day on N through E to S aspects below, near, and above treeline that most-likely occurred in the previous 24-48hrs. Aside from a stray rollerball or two we did not witness any avalanches.