Front Range

Avalanche

Everett Phillips · Dec 18, 2019 · Front Range

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Weather

RMNP: Odessa Gorge, N aspect, NTL (10600') Pleasant day out there. Sky: FEW, Precip: NO, Wind: Light - W, Air Temp: -1 deg.C, Wind transport: previous.

Snowpack

RMNP: Bear Lake to Odessa Gorge, BTL and NTL. No shooting cracks, no whumpfing, Conditions seemed to be consistent with today's Front Range backcountry forecast. Abundant evidence of previous wind loading BTL and NTL on all aspects. Some soft surface snow left in trees and sheltered areas BTL. We found the persistent weak layer (basal facets capped with 20191120 MFcr) between 50 and 100cm down throughout the BTL and NTL on N, NE, E, S, SE aspects.

Avalanche

Spotted what looked like the crown of a natural size 2 below the central ice pitch on the Northeast Face of Notchtop (East, ATL, ~40deg.). Assume it released during this past weekend's storm. Also watched a D1 wet loose avalanche release in steep East facing rocky terrain BTL (9500').