Front Range
SnowpackIan Fowler · Jan 3, 2024 · Front Range
Weather
Moderate westerly winds and cold temperatures.
Snowpack
Below treeline was mostly faceted with a stout sun crust on southerly aspects. Near treeline, I dug in a northerly area with a little over one meter of snow. I was unable to affect the basal weak layers in a compression test, but a propagation saw test indicated that with enough load, the basal weak layers could become a problem again in this area. There was also a concerning crust just under the surface that was surrounded by facets and could be a very good surface to transmit failures across the terrain where it is found. This crust was weakening, so hopefully, two more days before snow will help. Above the treeline on easterly through south, there were two main snow types. Rocks and bullet-hard wind-pressed slabs which were thick and difficult to probe through. I do not think a person could impact through them. The surface was not really faceted as I think the wind had taken them away. Northerlies were almost completely scoured.