Front Range
AvalancheRodney Ley · May 14, 2022 · Front Range
Weather
Partly cloudy all day with strong winds out of the west, northwest, especially strong on the ridgetops at 11,400'. Temperatures 40F at 11,000'. Previous days had recorded temps over 45F.
Snowpack
Hard, dirty snow surface that was icy until 10 AM on east and north facing aspects above 10,500' Used ski crampons with skins to summit ridgeline for extra safety. Snow softened into good corn by 11:30 AM and good skiing was available on all east facing aspects until 2:30 PM.
Avalanche
Noted large to-the-ground wet slab avalanche that had occurred sometime after Sunday 8 May. Located in Cookie Chutes couloirs area immediately south of the popular Montgomery Bowls area, near Point 11588. Aspect: East. Elevation: 11,550', toe of runout not visible. Estimate R2 and D2. Starting zone angle: est. 42 degrees Interestingly there was little to no cornice collapse, suggesting that dripping water from the cornice lip may have influenced the event.