Front Range

Avalanche

Ethan Davis · Feb 25, 2015 · Front Range

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Weather

Started overcast and cleared slightly. Bouts of sun followed by squalls of snow and gusty (10-20 mph) NW wind. Mostly light wind aside from gusts up until I left at 1:30 p.m.

Snowpack

BTL: Still super soft. As I curved slightly SE a crust was evident in open areas capping the recent storm snow with a dusting on top. NTL: Wind affected snow was forming more cohesive slabs (4F+). New snow on a complex mid-pack of crust-facet combos and thin slabs. Lower third of the snowpack was weak depth hoar. ATL: Large and continuous slabs across E-facing start zones. Ample evidence of older LD and possible small SS avalanches on steep SE-facing slopes under cornices at ridgeline. Gusty wind easily moving dry snow onto NE-SE facing slopes.

Avalanche

Older Loose Dry slides on SE-facing slopes above treeline. Most were D1 with one slightly larger D1.5 (SS?) which was the freshest looking of the bunch. All started in very steep terrain below cornices.