Front Range

Avalanche

Jake Gaventa · May 9, 2015 · Front Range

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Weather

Overcast/Obscured skies with S1 through noon, very short breaks of sun midday near divide and above treeline co-mingling with fog and low cloud. Calm winds. Temps above 0c. We left by 14:30.

Snowpack

8-12" of heavy new snow capping cohessionless, moist to wet existing. All aspects near and above treeline (up to 11,000 our high point) seemed similar. Boot penetrations thigh to waist deep. No evidence of recent freeze.

Avalanche

During the sunny spells numerous D.5-D1.5 wet loose avalanches came off all aspects, notable ones include the SE face coulior of Flattop, Hallet Chimney, Hallet Coulior. Ski cuts yielded movement at new/old interface on convex 35 degree slope entraining a surprising amount on snow in its wake.