Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · May 4, 2019 · Front Range
Weather
Bear Lake was 36F when we left the car, ABC watch on my pack said 32/33F at Emerald Lake at the base of the slide around 5:30am. Clear skies, low wind (forecast for something like 10-15mph)
Snowpack
Snow had a ~2" firm crust and deep soft layer beneath (didn't dig a pit, not an expert). Crossing around Emerald lake firm enough to support boots/crampons 2/3% of the time, punch through 1/3% of the time. Similar conditions at base of apron just below slide (but didn't go further up).
Avalanche
(All activity had already occurred PRIOR to ~5:15am 05/04/2019 when we began to see Tyndall Gorge, didn't see any activity between 5:15-5:40am). Very large slide on the right side of the photo is SE aspect of Flattop beneath Dragtonstail Couloir, multiple smaller slides all around cirque, but not as much on N/NE aspects on Hallett (eg. not E Couloir). See photo.