Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheCody M. Perry · Jan 9, 2014 · Steamboat & Flat Tops
Weather
Obscured sky's with periods S1 to S2. Moderate to heavy snowfall with increased winds noted this evening. Wind speeds light to moderate this a.m. out of the W and S calming toward the afternoon. Winds noticeably picked up this evening. Temps fairly constant. Cooling over the day, -6c this morning and -4c this afternoon.
Snowpack
Profile Site: The Gem. NE Slope, 10,000ft. 34 degree slope. Average snow height: 140cm's. Persistent slab layer located at an average height of 55-60cm's. Another persistent weak layer is located below this at a snow height average between 25 and 30cm's (appears to be decomposing and losing its voice in reactive picture). Two visible surface layers sat at heights of 77-95cm's today, no column or card tests indicated on these layers. However, repeated results occurred at the persistent slab layer located at 58cm's in height at our column site. Results were CT-M(11) RP on a crust(x2). faceted rounded particles (.5/1mm) rest on top of this faceted crust with similar faceted grains below between 1 and 1.5mm in size. A strong cohesive unit has formed over these deeper instabilities confirming the forecasts observations in our zone. Isolated sites are interesting to test. Slope wide I'm still noting variability. Wind slabs were avoided today in our travel plan and visibility was limited prohibiting any views of the landscape. However the snow surface wildly portrayed how active the wind has been lately. We noted the deepest snowpack seen this season. This should indicate how large winddrifts can possibly be.
Avalanche
Minor wind load releases along Forest Service rd. No other naturals seen or triggered.