Front Range

Avalanche

Anonymous · Dec 24, 2017 · Front Range

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Weather

Clear, windy cold, about 10 degrees F at the trailhead, 9 am

Snowpack

This was on a steep rocky slope just above the road. About 20 yards past the parking area for Ruby Creek trailhead (Urad mine road). The snowpack was maybe 2 feet deep there. West-northwest aspect. Elevation around 10400 feet

Avalanche

Shallow slab avalanche. I estimate the crown to be 1 - 1/2 feet deep. It was about 30-40 feet wide. Debris made it just to the edge of the road. Triggered by skier that was skiing up the road, but clearly too close to the steep embankment slope. The crown was very jagged, it seems to have run from rock to rock to tree. Photo included. Lesson learned, pay attention, even if you are 20 yards from the car. This was a non-event but could have been an event if the snowpack was deeper on that slope.