Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · Apr 19, 2019 · Front Range
Weather
partial cloudy, 25-30F, wind gusts 30-40mph, sustained wind 15-20mph.
Snowpack
Ice, wind deposited snow. Both descents were on N-NE facing slopes. Avalanche occurred at 11,700ft in wind deposited snow
Avalanche
Group of 3 skiers climbed Russell Peak, skied down NE chute towards Hidden Knoll. Wind deposited snow 6in to 12in deep on NW faces in the chutes. Snow was very stable 12,200ft down to 11,800ft off Russell Peak. Traversed over to Hidden Knoll and 1st skier dropped into Z Chute. 1 skier was out of sight from the other 2 skiers. Within a few seconds, 1st skier radioed up to other skiers that he had triggered an avalanche and skied to skiers right to escape slide. Skier 2 and Snowboarder 3 both skied down chute, staying to skiers right to avoid triggering more avalanches. All members had all safety gear (beacon,shovel,probe) and avalanche training.