Front Range

Avalanche

Thomas White · May 2, 2016 · Front Range

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Weather

Emerald Lake - sky clear, west wind moderate to light, temperature near freezing early to well above freezing after lunch.

Snowpack

New storm snow 30-50cm since Tuesday. There were signs of a good overnight freeze. Surface Hoar and rimed branched near Emerald Lake. Hand shear tests showed snow well bonded to old surface, with a planar failure on faceted grains within the new storm snow.

Avalanche

About 11:00 am widespread natural cycle of wet loose avalanches worked through the gorge. Any aspect that had rocks with a East through South exposure was producing wet loose slides. The couloir on the N face of Hallett Peak slid from the east facing rocks at the top of the gulley.