Front Range

Avalanche

Anonymous · Feb 15, 2017 · Front Range

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Weather

13:42, Emerald Lake, RMNP North Aspect, 10125 Ft. Elevation SKY- Few Clouds, No Precip TEMP - Air@-4 degrees C, Surface@-9 degrees C, 20cm down@-14 degrees C WIND - calm,no wind transport

Snowpack

13:42, Emerald Lake, RMNP North Aspect, 10125 Ft. Elevation 260cm+ Snow depth From surface down, 20cm@Fist, 20cm@Pencil, 1-2cm@4Finger, 80cm to pit depth (120cm)@Pencil The 1cm@4 Finger layer is a persistent weak layer of what appears to be decomposing graupel. In 2 compression tests at the same site, a result of CTH27 Q2 and CTH23 Q1 were recorded. This layer was also evident in a hand shear test done higher in the drainage at the steep crossing below Hallet Peaks East Buttress (approx 10625 ft.). This is where one accesses the upper Tyndall drainage. Atop this layer is a 20cm Pencil hard wind slab. Otherwise, no whoompfing, cracking, or other outward signs of instability were observed throughout the day.

Avalanche

South aspects warmed up quickly. By 10:30 some pinwheels and minor sloughs were beginning to develop. Old loose wet debris observed on southern aspects.