Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheDrew Ruff · Feb 13, 2017 · Steamboat & Flat Tops
Weather
Direct sun, no wind, temp in the low 30's below and at treeline
Snowpack
Light new snow quickly turned wet if not in shadow. On a SW, below tree line aspect around 9,500 ft identified the freeze melt weak layer buried 1.5 feet down. Layer popped and propagated easily on the first from the shoulder tap (21) during a CT. North facing aspects were unaffected by sun and a mid angle slope did not react when two small cornices were dropped on it above treeline.
Avalanche
Lots of loose naturals, large in size, coming from steep rocky slopes in direct sunlight beginning around 11 am. Triggered a small slide ski cutting on a south facing test slope at around 50 degrees. Slid on the melt-freeze crust layer identified, limited propagation and slow moving.