Front Range
AvalancheClifford Lester · Apr 21, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Heavy snow in the Bear Lake parking lot of RMNP with up to 1" of accumulation in the first 2 hours. Overcast with alternating thick fog (100' visibility) and hot flashes around 10,400 ft in the Canyon. During hot flashes, weather would become 10-deg warmer (into low 30's) and snow would become very sticky. Snow resumed in the afternoon, with large flakes. Low wind during the day.
Snowpack
On North and east facing aspects between 6" and 8" of new snow was observed. Underneath and chopped up, finger hard, melt freeze later was observed for another 8"+ of depth. This was observed consistently on east facing aspects from 10-10.4k feet.
Avalanche
Rolled balls observed on east facing aspects below treeline. Signs of sluffing on North fa ing aspects and in couloirs above Otis glades.