Front Range
AvalancheEddie Clark · Dec 28, 2015 · Front Range
Weather
Clear, low teens (F), no wind.
Snowpack
A mildly supportable layer with 8-16 inches of snow from previous storm cycle on top on N and NW aspects at and below treeline.
Avalanche
Frosty (peak/bowl) slid sometime after the last storm cycle (within the last 2-3 days). Crown looks to be 400-500 yards wide, 2-5 feet in height, and the avalanche ran full path about 1000 vertical feet with a starting elevation at 12,000 feet, on a south east aspect on a 35-25 degrees (steeper on south side) slope angle. It appears the snow from the last storm cycle slid off the stiffened wind slab due to poor bonding, and that it did not step down to ground. R4, D3, unknown trigger. No other avalanches seen in this zone. This is a particularly notable avalanche since this pitch is generally considered safe, and the entire path ripped. It should serve as a stern cautionary indicator to let these big slopes settle for the time being.