Sangre de Cristo
AvalancheRich Rogers · Mar 17, 2024 · Sangre de Cristo
Weather
Overcast below treeline and obscure, S1-2+ near treeline. Stayed cold near treeline and warmer below treeline. Winds were mainly calm but a few light gusts out of the NE wiggled a small branches. Humid air with light breeze, from cloud ceiling up, a "needle"-like rime formed on NE sides of tree but not on snow surfaces.
Snowpack
A much needed boost to the snowpack for this range. New storm snow fell "right-side-up"/denser snow first then lighter snow on top and appeared to bond well to old crusted surfaces. Preexisting snow pack had similar structure to snowpack found in S. Colony but not as deep in total height. That structure described as, old surfaces consisting of just crusts or near surface crust/facets combos with a thick much stronger mid-pack slab and still weak, but gaining strength, basal facets. New snow had few failures at changes in hand hardness during compression tests. These seem like they will gain strength quickly. No propagation results.
Avalanche
None. Visibility was obscure NTL and above.