Front Range
AvalanchePaul Rogers · Dec 9, 2018 · Front Range
Weather
Sky-Scattered. Temp 10-15. Intermittent Westerly winds near & above TL 15-20 mph. No precip. Moderate blowing snow at ridge top, light blowing snow near TL.
Snowpack
Below TL: Average HS 65cm. weak snowpack structure, did support skiing but foot pen to ground. Near TL: Snowpack changes significantly, Average HS 100 cm, areas with significant loading the HS is 120-130. Upper snowpack: 20cm of new snow rests on a 20-30 cm 4F slab. Lower snowpack: 40-50cm 1F+ slab resting on 40cm of basal facets 4F-F in hardness. Two primary weak layers of concern: 40cm down is a 1cm facet layer that rests between the 4F and 1F+ slabs. And the interface between the 1F+ slab and basal facets. Compression Test, CTM, non-planar/irregular fracture at 40cm down. Deep Tap Test, DTM sudden planar fracture 80cm down on basal facet layer. Skiing was quite good near and below TL N-S aspects - sun and wind have not ruined the skiing near/below TL yet.
Avalanche
Numerous loose snow avalanches observed on steep NE-S aspects above TL, D1, running from ridge top to valley floor.