Colorado Skiers Report First Known Avalanche Of The Season
Two skiers reported the first known avalanche of the season to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) on October 15th, 2023.
The avalanche occurred in a backcountry area southeast of Aspen on 'Mountain Boy Peak' near Independence Pass. Thankfully, nobody was injured in the incident.
Keep reading for more information from the CAIC.
The first reported avalanche of the season was submitted via observation! This avalanche was remotely triggered just below the ridge of Mountain Boy Peak where old faceted snow from earlier in Oct lay under the storm snow from last week. Read more at https://t.co/Kqx7UjvxB9. pic.twitter.com/PKT1O2vw3D
— CAIC:Statewide Info (@COAvalancheInfo) October 19, 2023
According to the report, the skier observed minor cracking and collapsing of the surface snow as they skinned up to the ridge line. The avalanche occurred at 12,800 feet.
Please read the full Observation Summary below:
"Cracking and minor collapsing while skinning up. Wind loaded slab on top of facets from late September/early October. Slide triggered just below the ridge line and propagated ~100 yards across from the rocks the center of the gully. It then ran around 300 feet before coming to a stop. Debris were around 3-4 feet in depth approximately. Skier 2 was probing at snow depth just below the crest of the ridge, when they remotely triggered the slide with the crown being about 10 feet below Skier 2. Skier 1 observed from the skin track on a connected slope on the other side of the gully. Slope made a big "whoompf" and cracks shot across upon slide initiation. Some surface hoar observed as well."
The slide was approximately 100 yards wide and ran about 300 feet before coming to a stop. The report estimates that debris were 3-4 feet in depth.
More info below:
"Skier 2 had reached the ridgeline and was probing in the north-facing slope, south of the saddle, just below the ridgeline. They remotely triggered the avalanche about 10 feet below them while Skier 1 was skinning up a NE aspect on the other side of the gully from the avalanche. The avalanche propagated approximately 100 yards across from the rocks on skiers' right to the gully on skiers' left. It then ran about 300 feet before stopping. The starting slope angle was around 38 degrees. It was remotely triggered from a 15-degree angle near the ridge top. The elevation of the crown was approximately 12,800 feet."
Please read the full report posted to CAIC here for more details.
Colorado is known for having a dangerous snowpack, when compared to other regions, due to 'Persistent Weak Layers' forming in the early season. These tend to form in mid-to-late October when the temperature is still fluctuating between above and below freezing.
Early-season snow is undeniably exciting. Just the thought of strapping on our skis and venturing out for a mid-October tour is enough to get the juices flowing.
Please let this avalanche observation be a reminder to not let the stoke of early-season snowfall cloud your judgement.
Use caution, bring the necessary gear, and stay safe out there, friends!
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