Front Range
AvalancheNick Barlow · Feb 13, 2018 · Front Range
Weather
Warm and mostly sunny, with passing mid-level clouds. Winds increased NTL, with sustained light with moderate gusts. Winds increased a bit further after 12:00pm.
Snowpack
Traveled on N/E/SE/S-facing slopes N/BTL. Recent wind-drifting evident NTL, with 5-10cm skin on most slopes. Dug first on N aspect NTL, where I found HS 80cm. Snowpack almost entirely faceted above larger depth hoar. Overlying slab was brittle and faceted, unable to propagate a fracture. Dug second on SE aspect NTL, found HS 120cm. Multiple weak layers of near-surface facets (NSF), along with typical depth hoar at the ground. Weakest layer was NSF 35cm(down), with cleaner shears observed in CT tests on this layer. ECTs would not propagate a fracture. Localized, minor cracking throughout travels, with no collapsing observed.
Avalanche
Observed a large natural Persistent Slab avalanche between 12:30-1:00pm, off the Current Creek headwall. East-facing slope ATL. Observed a small Wind Slab avalanche off Hidden Knoll (center chute), which may have been rider triggered.