Front Range
AvalancheTyler Henderson · Jan 17, 2016 · Front Range
Weather
Location: Bethoud Pass, Current Creek Aspect: SE Elevation: 11,200' Low visibility with an average wind speed of 40 mph. Peak gusts of 60 mph. Winds out of the W / NW at 297 degrees. Air temp of 7.6 F. Light snow.
Snowpack
Location: Bethoud Pass, Current Creek Aspect: SE Elevation: 11,300' Pit Snowpack Depth: 93cm Quick pit revealed a new layer of storm snow atop an older consolidated storm slab. Below the older storm slab were two distinct facet layers. The layer closest to the ground presented large faceted grains > 2cm that were highly unconsolidated.
Avalanche
Location: Bethoud Pass, Current Creek, Teacup Bowl Aspect: SE Elevation: 11,200' Unwitnessed natural avalanche on the "Teacup Bowl". No apparent signs of skier activity. Slide path was approximately 30m wide. Slide ran about 30m - 40m. Large debris field indicated enough force to move several large boulders. Crown broke along the obvious convexity as the slope steepens. Approximate slope angle of 35 - 40 degrees. Possible failure of last week's storm slab on a faceted week layer? Did not run to ground.