Grand Mesa

Avalanche

Brandon Levy · Dec 27, 2019 · Grand Mesa

View on map

Weather

Gusty South winds were lightly loading the Cliffs at the most suspect spot around #4. Cold temperatures despite the southerly wind direction and periods of S-1

Snowpack

Observations in a wind effected North facing area above Cliffs #4 showed about 16" of storm snow overlying weak near surface facets. The storm snow has a favorable density profile as the Christmas storm began fairly warm and cooled throughout the duration. Mid pack is still 1 finger hardness in this previously wind drifted location. Snow depth was 130cms. In a more sheltered North facing area the snowpack was 103cms and largely composed of faceted grains. See profiles and visual profile for more information.

Avalanche

Small sluffs (LDa) out of Cliffs #3-#7 occurred throughout the Christmas storm