Grand Mesa

Snowpack

Colin Mitchell ยท Dec 28, 2014

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Weather

Cool and sunny. Light winds.

Snowpack

Douglas pass received about 14" of snow from our last storm. The snow had been redistributed by the winds which came from W, SW, and NW during the storm. Snow was drifted in and around terrain features and stripped from many areas. The open south-facing slopes were especially affected. Snow surface varied from low density powder, to wind slab, to facets. Overall average HS in avalanche areas was hard to determine, but wind-loaded areas likely had 1-3 feet of snow in them. The N facing paths were less wind affected, but still were stripped in open areas. HS was around 20" on average, with a wind slab sitting over older faceted snow in most locations.