Grand Mesa

Snowpack

Susan Hale Colin Mitchell · Jan 11, 2016 · Grand Mesa

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Weather

Clear but chilly day with moderate winds - esp at the exposed ridge crest.

Snowpack

A nice deeper snowpack developing. Avg depth about 130 cm. Structure on westerly aspect where we dug was much as expected - with newer soft snow over a strengthening midpack, all resting on a nasty little crust just above a facet/depth hoar layer to the ground. For the hwy, the initial problem will be the poor interface for the next round of snow - surface faceting process is underway and also some surface hoar. See snowpit - Note the conflicting test results (the ECT vs other two tests...) Also note the boot pen was a delayed grounder. All a reminder not to let one's guard down on steeper more stressed terrain, esp where the slab may be thinner.