Front Range
SnowpackAnonymous · Dec 29, 2012 · Front Range
Weather
Calm winds, temp around 20 F, Sunny in the morning turning to mostly cloudy.
Snowpack
Snowpack was wind affected everywhere with obvious windslabs near and above treeline. I dug a pit above treeline and found tree distinct slabs each 6-8 inches thick in the heavily wind affected area I dug in. Below treeline snowpack was creamy, definitely wind affected but not forming hard slabs, soft slabs were present near treeline. On one run, the top few inches of the snow was craking right at treeline and when I moved into an untouched area, a large settlement occurred. This was in an area that is frequently ridden and has 10-12 tracks from the day with many other previous days tracks. For the last runs of the day we moved into some shorter tree shots that have not been ridden this year. I would estimate the slope angle at 33-36 degrees. I have seen this slope fracture and settle before but never have a full avalanche. When I rode across the slope it factured and large cracks appeared around the sides. After the first run, we took another through the same area to take a picture and upon stopping in a safe zone, another side of the field that had previously not cracked did. That is what the picture is of. I did dig a quick pit and it was the entire snowpack that was moving, a thicker persistent slab atop of about a foot of facets and a soft slab on the top. It was pretty sketchy and an obvious warning to stay off of steeper slopes.