Front Range

Snowpack

Justin Ibarra · Nov 18, 2017 · Front Range

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Weather

Sunny, Clear, cold and very windy.

Snowpack

Observed moderate to intense wind loading throughout the day. Noticed a small cornice break on SE aspect off ridge near 12,500ft. We found on average 20-25cm of new snow with a good wind skin of variable thickness and density on all aspects that we traveled through (NE-SE). Noticed some moderate cracking while skinning on NE windslabs. Dug a hasty pit on NE slope at 11, 800 to see layers (see attached image). Then dug a little higher on East slope at 12,200ft and found a reactive crust/facet combo 15cm from the ground. (see attached image). We also had a good propagation with shooting crack that arrested while skiing on a SE slope near 12,500ft on a 29 degree slope.