Front Range
AvalancheZach Taylor · Mar 5, 2015 · Front Range
Weather
Mostly sunny, breezy at times.
Snowpack
The snow surface was comprised primary of stellar and decomposing snow crystals. There were places below Hidden Knoll and in Moonlight bowl where wind crusts and slabby snow were observed as well. It seems as though snow was transported pretty far below ridges in places during this last storm cycle. I had some moderate cracking (12-14" propagation from ski tip) as I skinned below Hidden Knoll breaking trail. No whumping was observed today.
Avalanche
Avalanche #1 - This was a D2-R3 sized avalanche, NE aspect, that ran naturally and initiated from below a cornice on a ridge at approximately 11,800'. It ran approximately 200'wide and ran about 600'. This avalanche was located just south of HWY40 a couple miles east of where the rd passes the Henderson Mine turn off and begins to wind up the pass. Avalanche #2 - Stanley Slide Path. D2.5, R3, SE aspect, It ran approximately 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the slide path and about half the distance from the initiation zone down to the upper switchback of Hwy 40. There were no ski tracks visible in the area so the avalanche seems to have either run naturally or by CDOT control work. This was unclear but I did not observe any obvious black marks to indicate bombing. Avalanche #3 - NE aspect just to lookers right of the XYZ chutes on Hidden Knoll. D1.5, R2. It ran approximately 100' by 150' and the crown line was probably 8 inches or so. I skinned right up this slide and the weak layer culprit seemed to be a density difference within the new storm snow. Picture below is from this slide.