Front Range
AvalancheAndrew Ryder · Jan 3, 2021 · Front Range
Weather
Gusty N wind, teens with very low wind chill, increasing cloud cover
Snowpack
Hasty pit on due NE aspect around 9:00 AM. Shady, loaded pocket below small tree island, 100cm total, angle approx 25 degrees, elev approx 11,500. 0-55 cm aging, faceted sugar snow typical of current snowpack. 55-85cm 4-finger hard slab, 85-100cm very soft wind-deposited snow. No movement in compression test, however, interface between harder slab and old snow is very weak and would likely fail on a steeper, more heavily loaded slope. Snow surface on higher, open areas of bench has changed significantly since Friday, from boot deep, dense powder to very firm wind crust. Nearly all ski tracks in open areas have been erased.
Avalanche
Fresh avalanches observed on Stanley headwall, plus new sluffing from cornices between No Name and Russell.