Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheBrian Gardel ยท Jan 4, 2014
Weather
Overcast, calm, & snowing intermittently throughout the day.
Snowpack
Average total snow depth: 160cm 24hr new snow: 12" Stability test results on ENE aspect @ 9,500ft in the moderate/hard range and clean shears. All tests failed on a layer of 2mm facets buried 90-100cm from the surface. CT scores ranged from 22-24 Q1. Extended column test in the same pit showed same results: ECT-22-Q1 with full propagation on the same problem layer. The new snow was bonding well to the old snow surface.
Avalanche
A member of our group remotely triggered a small soft slab avalanche off the edge of the road during our snowmobile approach. No one was caught in the slide. The slab released on a 38degree ENE facing slope at approx. 8,400ft. Crown depth was approx. 2ft deep. We didn't dig a pit here as we were on our way home and out of time. See attached photo.