Front Range
Avalanchekevin Sturmer · Dec 28, 2017 · Front Range
Weather
Bear Lake Area, RMNP, 10,000, Temp 24 degrees at 1000, wind light 3-5 BTL, 5-15 ATL.
Avalanche
(L) Terrain Park, Above Nymph Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, (E) 10,200ft, (A) NE, (S) 45 degree slope unsupported rock slab for anchoring, (T - Test) - An intentional ski cut on a similar slope of an unknown triggered natural was performed with a result of an R1 D2 sized hard slab on the first cut. The the initial fracture entrained enough of the snow below the crown to bury a skier in the trees at the bottom of the slope. This slope was chosen for a ski cut after seeing the result of an unknown trigger natural avalance on the same elevation, location, aspect and slope anchoring. The initial fracture was right where some unknowing snowshoers will wander across from time to time. Due to location of the fracture a crown profile was unable to be obtained but a close enough inspection revealed new windslab sitting on top of matured facets and waterice attached to the rockslab underneath. Although the water ice was an isolated find most likely confined to this and other rock slabs the persistent large grain facets (1.5mm) at the ground is a recurring theme.