Front Range
AvalancheGarrett Akie · Dec 29, 2020 · Front Range
Weather
partly cloudy, moderate wind (WSW), light snow, ~10 degF.
Snowpack
6-12" new snow. natural avalanches above treeline, likely ran before 12/29/20. Widespread whumpfing, collapsing and propagating cracks on all aspects, slope angles and elevations. Very easy to get soft slab pockets to pull out on isolated terrain features.
Avalanche
Remote trigger from estimated 50 ft. away. East aspect @ 11,700'. Approximate lat/lon 39.6471, -105.8959. Group of 3 skiers. Skier 1 approached slope from just below ridge top and a there was a crack that loosened a small pocket. Skiers 1, 2 and 3 discuss and decide to skin uphill to properly gain the ridgetop in case anything else moved. When Skier 1 took two more steps, a crack propagated across a small band of rocks and released the entire slope looker's left of the group. Skiers 1, 2 and 3 turned back immediately. Do not have photos of this event, crown is difficult to see through canopy. No evidence of other backcountry travelers in the area on exit.