Front Range
AvalancheNodin de Saillan · Jan 19, 2020 · Front Range
Weather
Overcast morning with blowing snow and strong winds. West of Emerald Lake, RMNP on the flank of Dragon's Tail Spire. About 10,800 feet and E aspect.
Snowpack
We skinned from Emerald Lake up Dead Elk Couloir to access a snow ramp that would bring us to the first pitch of the climb. Snow in the couloir was firm with a ~6 in layer of crust and a layer of facets below. Snow on the snow ramp was firmer neve with good support for bootpacking. However, as the snow ramp steepened, snow became less consolidated with an 18 in layer that collapsed into facets.
Avalanche
Two partners and I were approaching “Enter the Dragon”—a route I have done multiple times—that follows the main weakness up the Dragon’s Tail Spire on the south side of Flattop Mountain above Emerald Lake. We followed a diagonal snow bench towards the first pitch. I was in front and moving quickly across relatively good neve, but as the slope steepened, I began to punch through the top layer. Before I was able to assess the change properly, a large portion of the slope broke above me with a crown of about 18”, and I was swept off my feet, past my partners, and over the edge of the rock band below. Luckily, the trajectory of the fall allowed me to fall cleanly to the snow below. I landed on my right side, and the fall, which we estimated to be about 50 feet, amazingly only resulted in a fractured clavicle. We were able to assess my injury and walk out to the trailhead. This is a good reminder for winter climbers that avalanche danger does not disappear when you take off your skis.