Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · Dec 10, 2016 · Front Range
Weather
Increasing wind speeds (30 mph gusts). Moderate temps.
Snowpack
Observed subtle wind loading earlier in the a.m. but no propagation. Skiing near and below tree line.
Avalanche
Remote trigger, well underneath/away from the start slope. R2 D2. This was a large wind slab avalanche which stepped down to the ground (wide, somewhat deep, with long runout). triggered from group below on adjacent lower angle slope. Hard to judge crown height from a distance but likely in the 6–10' range. 2 partial burials, 1 full burial, 1 observer/responder (myself), no injuries, some equipment loss. Could have been a much worse outcome.