Front Range

Avalanche

Cullen O'Connor · Dec 20, 2021 · Front Range

Weather

Precip: Snow, S-1 constant to S1 for extended periods. Winds: Moderate winds and strong gusts. Small trees sway and sometimes whole trees in motion. Drifting snow was obvious. Sky: OVC 8/8 covered. Air Temp: 5degF consistent the whole tour

Snowpack

All measurements are estimates, air temperatures were cold, wind was howling and we did not take the time to document or investigate further. There were two paths with a tree rib separating them. We ascended the less steep more wind scoured lookers right path and tree rib with the intention of skiing the lookers left path. The bottom half of lookers right path appeared to hold uniform 4F soft snow down to ground, HS~30cm. As we ascended, the snow was noticeably more stiff (but still 4F to 1F hardness) towards the top half of the chute, HS~60cm. We stopped to reassess about half way up the chute. Digging a pit near the side of the lookers left path, but still close to our tree rib, we found ECTP12 failing on ~15cm of facets at the ground, with a 45cm storm/wind slab formed from the past couple weeks.

Avalanche

There backcountry tourers were traveling in the Nokhu Crags area near Lake Agnes on Cameron Pass on December 17. One of the riders triggered an avalanche that broke a ways above him. The rider was unaware that he had triggered the avalanche until he reached the bottom of the path and exited to a safe spot. When he looked back he saw the debris and power cloud. The other 2 riders were in a safe waiting spot near the top of the slope in a small stand of trees and were not involved. This was a close call. Nobody was caught.