Grand Mesa

Snowpack

Brandon Levy · Nov 29, 2019 · Grand Mesa

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Weather

Dark and overcast with snowfall beginning around 10am on Grand Mesa. By 1030 snowfall rate was S2 and remained steady for the duration of the morning. Moderate to Strong South wind was visibly transporting snow to lee aspects including Northwest facing slopes.

Snowpack

Snow depth ranged from an average of about 2' to deeper drifted slopes in more exposed terrain with 34". Ski penetration was up from last site visit at only 10 cms while foot penetration was 45 cms. Localized collapses and cracking with one or two rumbling collapses maybe extending 50'. Extended column tests propagated with moderate taps at both a deeper drifted location (ECTP11 down 70 on 4-6mm DH) and a shallower more sheltered location (ECTP15 down 33 on 4-6mm DH). All tests failed at the 11/20 interface. No obvious evidence of the 11.25 surface hoar