Front Range

Avalanche

Mike Wallace · Nov 1, 2017 · Front Range

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Weather

-2 C, Winds WSW 10-15, Sky BKN, No Precip.

Snowpack

10/30 and 10/31. Dug 2 pits while ski cutting in the steeps East of LIft 1. Two prominent crusts appeared, the upper one being thin and fragile, failing on isolation of a CT and looks to be deteriorating. The lower one is about 3-5 cm thick at the pit site. Lower crust varies in thickness and could support more weight from new snow. Concern is with new snow trickling in and wind slab forming in open areas, this crust could support just enough snow to lure in a trigger. While exploring similar terrain and tops of gullies, this layering system prevailed with varying thickness of the crusts.

Avalanche

SS-ASc-R1-D.5-O. Isolated pocket collapsed then released on a ski cut just below a stand of trees in shallow snow (50-60cm depth) on a north facing 34 degree open slope.