Front Range

Snowpack

Owen McGrath · Jan 18, 2020 · Front Range

Weather

Temps in the teens low 20's, lingering high winds, which were generally quite well protected below treeline, and higher as we approached the treeline

Snowpack

Dug a pit at 11,500' on a NNE slope, 30 degrees right at the treeline, 11,500' elevation We saw that the slope was windloaded but thought it was low enough angle to get away with it. 95cm depth ~15 cm wind slap ~20 of noticeable persistent slab ~20-40 another slab Finger tests seemed to show a weak layer at around ~40 cm down, though it didn't propagate during further testing From ~40 cm to the bottom (45 cm in total) it was surprisingly consolidated, especially at the very bottom. Did an ECT test- propagation at ~25cm depth after 5-6 elbow taps. After finishing the ECT my friend jumped on his skis above the site where we dug and we saw further propagation across the whole layer Given that the slope was spot on 30 degrees, we bailed and found a lower angle line lower down. Big takeaways: -Was (pleasantly?) surprised to see how consolidated the lower section of the snowpack was -The weakness in the upper layers was exactly what we expected, and a reminder that yes, it's January in Colorado. Thanks for all the help you do, CAIC.