Front Range

Avalanche

Anonymous · May 14, 2021 · Front Range

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Weather

Clear skies in the AM , building T-storms after 11am but staying up on the Divide, not much ever materialized as far as measurable precip. Warm AM temps, felt like a superficial freeze below 10K.

Snowpack

A little bit of everything. The new snow has settled out to about 30cm in some ATL exposed terrain. After passing Banana Bowls snowshoes were crucial. We dawned SS and worked our way above Lake Helene. Booting up the NE Gully was a bit of a wallow in some spots. There is a 7-10cm thick wind slab sitting on top of warm pow. Same deal with walking down flattop. Better bring the slow shoes..

Avalanche

Had a close call when a sizeable Loose wet released from sun exposed rock outcroppings as we neared the top of the climb. We were far enough over on climbers left side and were able to take a few steps out the way. The debris triggered a larger loose wet that went the whole way. This was on a NE facing gully at 11,500ft @ 9am !