Front Range

Avalanche

Scott Toepfer Mike Cooperstein · Jan 16, 2016 · Front Range

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Weather

Winds at the lake were very strong. Hard to stand up during some gusts. Temperatures were mild which made the winds tolerable

Snowpack

Wind slab resting on facet layer on top of the same mix for 185 cm where we dug out snow pit. Large avalanche to the north of our pit had initiated as a wind slab resting on a 3 cm wind crust. We believe the slab quickly began to step deeper into old persistent weak layers, and eventually to the ground in some areas.

Avalanche

Hard slab avalanche stepped to ground. East aspect, at 11,400 feet. Width estimated at 1,200 feet. Ran 650 vertical. Crown was blown back in, but would estimate some 36 to 48". Starting zone slope angle on the south end was 36 degrees, steeper as you went north.