Steamboat & Flat Tops

Avalanche

Eric Haskell · Jan 11, 2018 · Steamboat & Flat Tops

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Weather

Overcast to obscured with light winds down low and moderate SE winds up high, some blowing snow.

Snowpack

Rolling collapses all aspects and elevations. More pronounced at lower elevations and on treed, bushy or rocky slopes. No cracking. Hand shears failed cleanly and easily in mid-pack on facets. ~35 cm new snow on west face around 9400'. Ankle deep ski penetration, waist deep boot penetration.

Avalanche

One small, wind-loaded pocket naturally avalanched on steep, rocky slope around 9200' northern slope. Poor visibility up high prevented other observations.