Front Range
AvalancheIan Fowler · Jan 26, 2024 · Front Range
Weather
Light snow and NO wind (not a typo).
Snowpack
All snow profiles had a similar structure, approximately 120cm of snow with various proportions of basal facets and MLK snow. Westerly slopes below the treeline and easterly slopes near the treeline were about one-third basal facets and two-thirds storm snow. On westerly slopes near treeline this ratio was switched with about 80cm basal facets and 40cm MLK snow. On easterly slopes, there was a melt-freeze crust within the basal facets, and reactivity in tests was above this crust. All profiles had hard Extended Compression Test results and short cut lengths on Propagation Saw Test. This indicates we are unlikely to see much reactivity before someone hits a weak area of the slab.
Avalanche
This slide looked old and probably triggered by a cornice drop.