Glen Alps - Little O'Malley

Toured up to 3100' on Little O'Malley gully from Glen Alps parking lot to see how this new wind event is affecting the area after the 8-10"+ of fresh snow from the past week. We found the high winds transporting the soft snow rapidly into 1-2' deep slabs on leeward terrain. On test slopes we were able to get some shooting cracks and collapsing in the fresh slabs. Visibility was poor so we did not see any recent avalanches in the area. We stayed conservative in our terrain choices throughout our tour to manage the heightened avalanche hazard from the rapid loading and recent pattern change in the front range. 

Active rapid wind loading throughout the afternoon above lower elevations building fresh slabs on leeward terrain. Observed cracking and collapses in the freshly forming wind slabs. Bad visibility kept us from seeing if there have been any recent avalanches in the area.

In protected areas near the parking lot, we found 6-8" of fresh soft snow. Above lower elevations we found this soft snow being rapidly transported by high winds, forming 1-2' deep fresh wind slabs. We found these wind slabs sitting on top of icy bed surfaces. In leeward terrain we got some shooting cracks and collapsing in the fresh wind slabs. The skiing down was challenging as the slabs were soft enough to ski into but firm enough to toss you around. 

No formal pits were dug.