Front Range

Avalanche

Mike Soucy · Dec 27, 2021 · Front Range

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Weather

Snow and blowing snow, 1-2cm/hr throughout the day. Clouds, high temps in the teens

Snowpack

HS 100-140cm, deepest near treeline. Storm snow (from 12/24 interface) 60-75cm depending on location. Rumbling collapses and shooting cracks throughout the day @ near and below treeline elevations. Below treeline, there is still very little strength in the snowpack, mostly F-4f to the ground with settling storm slab. Near treeline leeward aspects have 60-120cm recently wind loaded snow on weak basal structure Above treeline was largely obscured by blowing snow, but widely variable distribution.

Avalanche

I observed natural avalanches at all elevations, on NW-N-NE aspects. Exact timing unknown, 24-48hrs ago. Seven Utes North Glades @ NTL elevation, north aspect N-SS-R3-D2-O. Impressive propagation on this one, close to 1000' wide, crossing half a dozen terrain features/start zones. Seven Utes North Bowl @ ATL elevation, north aspect N-HS-R2-D2-O. Deep crown propagated across entire start zone, only 300' vertical to first bench. Mt Mahler west/northwest face @ ATL elevation N-HS-R3-D2-O. Ran 600' vertical, hard slab debris and vegetation. Numerous N-SS-D1-1.5 @ BTL elevation generally north aspects.