Front Range

Avalanche

Jake Gaventa · Mar 14, 2015 · Front Range

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Weather

CLR skies, moderate winds with strong gust from the west. Above 0c temps (estimated).

Snowpack

Noticed wind loading on SE->N->NNW slopes ATL. Pockets of wind slab were cracking and moving while working up the SE ridge. Poor bonding of new snow with old on sun affected aspects. E face ATL showed signs of wind transport, both new textured snow and older giant strastugi features. N protected gulleys showed less violent signs of wind loading with good surface texturing.

Avalanche

SS-AS-U-D1.5 around 1300. Crown ranged from 6"to 2" deep, 40' wide, and ran 200' vert, on a 40 degree slope. Involved new snow only. Exposed bed surface was firm and slick.