Front Range
AvalancheRyan Lewthwaite · Mar 3, 2020 · Front Range
Weather
Northwest winds were creating banners of snow from ridgelines. Moderate winds were accompanied by scattered clouds. Temperature was 21F degrees near treeline.
Snowpack
The surface snow was melting and being effected by the wind in exposed areas near treeline. On a southeast aspect the northwest winds were depositing snow at a moderate rate. I dug a snow profile near treeline on a southeast aspect adjacent to a large avalanche. Here I found 20cm of soft snow on a firm melt freeze crust. Stability tests revealed failure with moderate force at this interface. An extended column test gave a propagation result with hard force through the depth hoar over 1 meter deep (ECTP27@50cm). I even got a compression test to fail at this layer with hard force (CT21@45cmSC).
Avalanche
Small cornice fall avalanche next to older large avalanche in Zero Creek headwall.