Front Range
SnowpackJonathan Thurston · Apr 5, 2021 · Front Range
Weather
Went up for a morning ski. It was clear and sunny on east through south aspects, hanging around 35-40F at the summit at 10 am. There were mild winds above treeline.
Snowpack
Did not dig any pits. The snow was firm from the overnight refreeze on the ascent below and near treeline. On the east facing ridge above treeline, the snow was starting to warm up (around 9:30 am) but the upper crust was still firm and mostly unbreakable while bootpacking. There were no signs of instability or recent slides on the ascent. On the way down, it was great corn conditions, with approximately the top 10cm of snow having thawed above treeline on S/SE aspects. Near and below treeline the microfeatures of the slope had different thawing. Where the slope had a SE aspect, it was stickier but still supportive while the parts of the slope that were SW were fairly firm.