Grand Mesa
SnowpackColin Mitchell · Feb 1, 2017 · Grand Mesa
Weather
High thin clouds covered the sky, but plenty of solar radiation was getting through.
Snowpack
The snowpack on the Mesa is deep and well-consolidated. HS was 72", we have had 16" of settlement in the past week in the study plot. Coverage in all of the paths is still impressive, despite repeated releases from mitigation. The start zones in the cliffs are down to rock in many areas, but gullies and hanging snowfields are still filled in as is the talus on the slopes above the road. The cornice above shot # 4 has reformed. In most areas, the snow surface is cold and wintry still, with a wind crust/slab or wind-buffed facets. On southerly and sun-exposed aspects a stout melt-freeze crust has developed, but it is not everywhere. Anywhere shady or with a northerly or easterly tilt does not have it. Little in the way of loose activity was observed above 9,000'. Lower elevations were melting out and some full-depth loose wet slides had occurred on steep road cuts.