Observation
| Region: | Front Range |
|---|---|
| Location: | Flattop Mountain: avalanche across summer hiking trail |
| Observer: | |
| Date: |
Avalanche details
| Trigger | Unknown | Aspect | West | Elevation | 3200ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slope Angle | unknown | Crown Depth | unknown | Width | unknown |
| Length | unknown |
Observer Comments
Large and deep wind slab avalanche on the South side of Flattop. It was very wide and propagated across the entire bowl from above the Old Trail to above the New Trail. Debris ran across summer trail. Picture taken New Year’s day around sunrise.
Light was pretty flat this morning. It looked like the blocks were slightly covered with fresh, wind blown snow. Slide possibly occurred yesterday – speculation?
Red Flags
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes | Collapsing (Whoomphing)? | No | Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
|---|
Weather
Temperature around 33F in Glen Alps at 8:00 a.m., blowing 30-40mph, with occasional calm spells on lower slopes. By 10:30 it was 37F back at the car.
Snow Characteristics
Snow surface
Soft snow on the leeward slopes on a hard surface.
Photos
Panno of Flattop Avalanche taken 1/1/2016 (Bob Lohr)
Closer look at left side of crown (Bob Lohr)
Hard wind slab debris piled near and over trail (Bob Lohr)