Front Range
AvalancheNick Barlow · Mar 11, 2016 · Front Range
Weather
10:00) 38F, calm, clear 14:00) 45F, calm, few 16:00) 33F, calm, few HN24: 0cm
Snowpack
Sunshine Peak & Continental Divide via W. Fork) 11,500-12,200', NE→SE aspects ATL. Isolated column tests at (3) different locations revealed a weak layer of near surface facets 35-55cm down from the surface. The layer was easily identifiable, with a hardness-change sandwich: pencil→4F→pencil. The 4F NSF layer was 3-5cm in depth. Faceted grains were small, 1-2mm, and appeared to be rounding. ECTH/CTH, Q2-Q3 shear quality. ECT's were not propagating. Leftover windslabs from our last storm cycle were a bit sensitive to travelers in isolated areas. Slab depth was in the 10-25cm range, only running in pockets, but quickly turning to loose/wet slurries. Windslab avalanches were running on preserved stellars, quite large, 5-10mm. These releases were isolated, and similar-looking slopes/pockets (for the most part) did not harbor a cohesive slab.
Avalanche
Pocket releases, off ridge-tops & convexities above treeline. Slab avalanches evolving into a loose/wet mess.