Grand Mesa

Avalanche

Rob Hunker · Dec 30, 2013 · Grand Mesa

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Weather

1300 hrs; Clear, nil, 27F, 54%, NE 2/7

Snowpack

HS 42”// Current highway avalanche risk: LOW// With 8-16” new storm snow load there are the following avalanche problems// Upper snowpack problem: cohesionless facets; failure LIKELY with 8” new snow load for natural, D1, loose avalanches onto the inside lane// Middle snowpack problem: old wind slab above a surface hoar layer @ 30”; CHANCE of failure with 16” new snow load for natural D1.5-2, slab avalanches with 3-5 feet on centerline.

Avalanche

Avalanche control recommended with 16" new snow on the storm board. NO load of this magnitude is in the next 5 day weather forecast.