Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheCody M. Perry ยท Jan 19, 2014
Weather
Clear sky's and light winds out of the west. Morning air temps were at -3c at trailhead warming to a high of 4c.
Snowpack
The snowpack in North Routt has been strongly responding to the last week of warming. The Upper 90 to 100cm's of the snowpack is fairly robust and uniform across the aspects, however great variability exists. A persistent weak layer located between 25 to 35cm's of the ground has been naturally reactive in on nearly all aspects. It's especially sensitive and weak around steep load margins. Depth hoar of 3mm in size were found supporting a large stiff wind pockets on a north facing slope of 20 degrees. South facing slopes warmed to a creamy surface consistency. While north facing slopes range between falling through the facets to firm supportive cold cotton like snow. Ski Pen across the aspects averaged ankle high.
Avalanche
Touring through dense north facing trees we came upon avalanche debris that had been strained from above. A 35 degree north facing slope had ripped out along the margins creating a deposition zone roughly 100ft across (Avy was estimated to be a R3 D2). Upon gaining a East West trending ridge the extent of naturals in the area became evident. Another north facing natural with large fracture lines the propagated over a 100ft each were preserved below a cornice. We noted three isolated east facing wind slabs that had ripped and ran down steep slopes. One east facing wind load we were able to view closer than others must have had a stout 5ft crown. Its failure scraped down to the ground it the upper part of the avy track. Another natural was noted on the lower portion of Hahn's southern face heading toward the village in the afternoon.