Steamboat & Flat Tops

Snowpack

Due to the nature of our route, snowpack observations were confined to South through West aspects. Visibility was poor so we weren't able to scan adjacent slopes for visible signs of instability. The snowpack in this area is thin, ranging in depth from 60cm-110cm depending on elevation. Lower elevations are full of rock and tree limbs protruding from the surface. Last week's storm cycle deposited about 10" of higher density snow on top of a 5mm (breakable) rain crust. The rain crust was widespread up to 10,500ft. Lots of collapsing at lower elevations. Stability tests on two different slopes at 10,000ft (W aspect) and 10,500ft (SW aspect) produced similar results with scores of CT8-Q2 beneath the rain crust (30cm from surface), and CT21-Q2 above a 5cm melt/freeze crust (60cm from surface).