Front Range

Avalanche

I triggered a very small slab avalanche while jumping a small cornice formed by the new snow -- which ran for about 10-20' before slope angle decreased from low 30s to mid 20s. It certainly seemed like had it been on a long steep slope, it would have been a decently sized slide. Crown was 12-18" -- but that's due to the wind loading at the spot of the new snow as there was only 6" of fresh snow where not wind effected. Location was on the Current Creek Bench off Mt. Russell near Berthoud Pass. East aspect, above treeline, 12,100' elevation. SS-AS-R1-D1-O. Also, from the road, it looked like there were two natural slides - one on No Name (above treeline, east aspect, starting at about 12,200', SS-N-R1-O (couldn't tell D from Highway 40); and one in the Fingers - below treeline, starting at 11,600', may have been a point release, N-R2-D1-O. I think they both released today.