Front Range
AvalancheMike Soucy · Dec 16, 2020 · Front Range
Weather
Cloudy, snow S1-S2 throughout the day, tapering at ~1400. Moderate south-west wind below and near treeline, strong in the alpine, but vis was obscured. 10-15cm of 24hr accumulation.
Snowpack
Shallow and weak near and below treeline. 20-100cm variable depths. No stronger midpack layer detected, even in open terrain ~10,600'. Weak to the ground. This week's snow (20cm) was gaining cohesion in certain locations exposed to the wind, 4F hardness. No cracks or whumps.
Avalanche
No natural avalanche activity observed. I was able to intentionally trigger several small avalanches at near treeline elevation on slopes steeper than 35*, anytime the terrain was exposed to wind loading (E-N aspects). 20cm of 4F recent snow was propagating across small terrain features, pulling out facets to the ground, and running 400-600'.