Front Range
SnowpackDan Allen · May 12, 2013 · Front Range
Weather
The Glen Cove Snotel site reported 14 inches of new snow between May 5 and May 9. The overnight low on the night of May 11 did not drop below freezing. The daytime high around 11000' was 50 degrees.
Snowpack
The major avalanche problems described by CAIC for May 12 were persistent slabs on North aspects as well as wet loose avalanches. Initially, I was most concerned with the persistent slabs. However, as the temperature warmer I started to notice pinwheels as we climbed up the Y Couloir. We turned around at 12:30 PM just short of 12500'. While descending the Barr Trail below Barr Camp I looked back up at the east face of the peak and notice four point releases just below the rock outcroppings below the summit house.