Front Range
SnowpackAnonymous · Feb 17, 2011 · Front Range
Snowpack
Three climbers descending Little Italy remotely trigger a slab avalanche on NNE aspect at 11,700' in the Glen Cove Cirque on Pikes Peak between Little Italy couloir base and the base of The Chimney couloir. First climber down triggered the slide from a 28* slope, the slope fractured about 30 meters sideways and uphill to a 38* slope and released a slab avalanche which slide free of climber and intended path. Crown was about 60m in length and ranged from a few cm's to 60cm and 75cm at the highest point. Slide ran for about 70-80m to lower angle terrain and came to a stop.
Wind transported snow is common in this area and accounts for most of snowpack here. we had been climbing in the area for 3 1/2 hours prior to indecent and did note that there were varying wind slabs but we did not witness any signs of instability until the moment of the shooting crack and release.
Wind transported snow is common in this area and accounts for most of snowpack here. we had been climbing in the area for 3 1/2 hours prior to indecent and did note that there were varying wind slabs but we did not witness any signs of instability until the moment of the shooting crack and release.