Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · Apr 30, 2017 · Front Range
Weather
Generally moderate snow all morning from 10-12, with occasional periods of heavy snow. The snow paused and the sun was shinning through a thin cloud layer for about and hour from 12:00-1:00, raising temps slightly, before heavy snow began again from 1:00pm on. Temperatures were in the high 20's with light to moderate winds coming from the South and East. Elevation 11,000 - 10,500, Aspect S-SE
Snowpack
Pit dug at ~10,700', Aspect S, 6-8" of loose storm snow over a soft storm slab about 2-3" thick over a thin graupel layer, over 10-12" soft slab that seemed well bonded to the solid spring-like snow-pack below. Overall snow-pack depth greater than 240cm probe.
Avalanche
Skier triggered avalanche caused by a ski cut at the top of a small chute off Hallet's East ridge. Loose storm slab slid on a graupel layer. Aprox. Size R2 - D2. SE Aspect, Elevation ~10,500'. We were very lucky to not get caught in this slide, while not large the slide would have taken us for a good ride through a tight chute and through trees at the base of the chute. Looking back this easily could have been avoided if we had considered our observations from earlier in the day and not let our desire to ski something more 'aesthetic' obscure our decision making.