Steamboat & Flat Tops

Snowpack

Andrew McWilliams · Nov 15, 2023 · Steamboat & Flat Tops

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Weather

Temperatures in the 40s with broken skies and light winds. No precipitation.

Snowpack

I traveled on a ridgeline just above 10,000 feet to look at northerly and easterly-facing slopes. In places where I could find continuous snow, there was a very weak snowpack about 30cm deep with a one to two cm layer of facets on the surface resting on a weak crust above depth hoar. Snow only remained on shaded and northerly-facing slopes. The most problematic areas seemed like they would be closer to 11,000 feet near prominent ridgelines and gully features. In more exposed areas, there could be pockets of wind slab, but I wasn't able to get on any higher slopes closer to prominent ridgelines.