Front Range
AvalancheRyan Lewthwaite · Feb 11, 2020 · Front Range
Weather
A cold clear morning with -5F degrees. Light winds from the southwest were transporting snow into banners at ridgelines.
Snowpack
Todays snowpits were focused on southeast aspects near and above treeline. A very similar snowpack structure exists on this aspect in these elevation zones with subtle differences. Near treeline slopes have a deeper snowpack that has been less effected by superficial wind. Above treeline there exists a surface windskin that is thin and unsupportable. Both elevation zones have new snow over older 1F hardness slabs with facet/crust combos underneath. It is the facet/crust sandwiches that are most likely to be effected by human triggering causing avalanches. Near treeline test results: CT25@99BRK; CT22@125BRK, ECTX; PST36/100Arr@110. Above treeline test results: CTN; CT19@34BRK; ECTX
Avalanche
The post-storm avalanche cycle showed itself today in the Front Range Mountains. Avalanches were caused by explosive charges dropped from helicopters and thrown by ski patrollers, naturally occurring, and remotely triggered by humans.