Front Range
SnowpackAnonymous · May 8, 2011 · Front Range
Weather
Sunny, light wind, 45-50F
Snowpack
Near treeline the snowpack is transitioning to spring conditions very nicely. Up high the winter layers are still lingering. I dug a pit on a 36 degree section of the SSE face of Mt. Toll at 12,700' at 11:30 AM on 5/8/11. Snow depth at that point was 3.2m. A couple of quick tests showed smooth failure on top of a crust 20cm down. CT27 and ECTN29. Both tests were repeated twice. The upper 1-1.5 meters of the snowpack is still very complex. Although these storm snow layers were not reactive in my tests, they could be triggered from either a step-down or a cornice release (although this particular route has no cornices above it). At 12:30 my boots penetrated to the 3rd buckle -- a little on the soft side. This was reinforced by moderate slough and roller balls when when we skied.