Front Range

Avalanche

Michael Lutek · Nov 23, 2016 · Front Range

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Weather

Cloudy, 30-40 degrees, 20+mph winds at 12,300

Snowpack

Wind crusted top layer with a few softer sections at higher elevations (12-12.3k), sparce coverage. Lots of rocks just below the surface at higher elevations with deeper, skiable snowpack below 12k.

Avalanche

Observed shooting cracks in multiple chutes above 12k, between 11.7k-12k triggered a small D1 slide, 340 degrees N/NE facing slope, eastern side of the divide, directly west of the top of the pass. Crown was about 6 inches, bed was about 2 inches. Bed was faceted snow in a chute with relatively few ground anchors.