Front Range
AvalancheAnonymous · Feb 28, 2014 · Front Range
Weather
11,200', northwest aspect: mild westerly wind, partly clear skies until 11:30am when it started snowing at 1/4-1/2" per hour for rest of day.
Snowpack
Overall coverage is excellent. New snow from the weekend (2/22+23) has settled significantly from sun and warm temps below 10,400', and this is accentuated on south through east facing aspects. Wind loading visible above and near treeline.
Avalanche
James Peak Wilderness, 11,200', northwest aspect: One avalanche from two adjacent chutes (same run-out) at treeline. Crown appeared to be 1-3 feet in height. A natural release from earlier in the week. R3D2. Distance from crown to bottom of deposition was about 350 yards- most of debris pile ran into main open area, but some ran over a bench into the trees. It was the first time this path has ripped this season, or any season in the past six years. No other avalanches seen yesterday.