Front Range
SnowpackAmanda Loughlin, Austin DiVesta & Max Strobeck · Dec 9, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Cold, broken skies, light snowfall (less than 1 cm and hour) and light breeze beginning in the afternoon.
Snowpack
We observed 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) of new snow over slabs. We dug a quick pit on a northeast aspect below treeline at 11,000ft that showed new snow over slabs over facets over a melt-freeze crust. Snow height varied from 65 cm on north and northeast aspects to 90 cm on east aspect. Our first Extended Column Test (ECT) was on a north aspect, near treeline at 11,600ft and produced ECTN12 at 27 cm in depth hoar. The second ECT was on an east aspect, near treeline at a similar elevation and produced ECTP13 at 24 cm, also in depth hoar. Ski penetration ranged between 10-15cm.