Front Range
AvalancheNick Wright · Mar 28, 2021 · Front Range
Weather
Warm, sunny day. Around 25 - 30 F on the East Grizzly face at about 12k. Significant wind gusts on the Grizzly/Torrey's ridge around mid morning, calming as the day progressed. Grizzly Peak: NE Face Grade: 35 - 40 deg Aspect: NE Elevation: 12k
Snowpack
Snowpack appeared to be very deep and strong with a 2-3" wind crust on the surface. We did not conduct a technical snow analysis of the Grizzly Couloir apron, or the apron that slid. However, we did not break through the supportable layer that was holding newer wind deposited snow. Nor did we experience any whoomphing on the apron. Although the aspect was suspect, we believed the snowpack to be strong in nature. Grizzly Peak: NE Face Grade: 35 - 40 deg Aspect: NE Elevation: 12k
Avalanche
Deep persistent slab failure at ground triggered by two sleds. As we booted up the Grizzly Couloir apron, two sleds charged directly up the apron next to us, on the looker's right. The snow pack failed at the ground and ran five hundred feet long and two hundred feet wide. We felt a major shift in the snowpack under our feet on the Grizzly Couloir apron as the slide propagated and ran. We were very fortunate it did not step over. Although we acknowledged deep persistent slab failure was possible, it was evident to us ground failure was very unlikely without the sled trigger. Grizzly Peak: NE Face Grade: 35 - 40 deg Aspect: NE Elevation: 12k