Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheDan Edmiston · Feb 18, 2019 · Steamboat & Flat Tops
Weather
High clouds as storm was leaving the area, temps were brisk around 10,000ft toward the end of the day. Trailhead temps were low single digits as we were leaving.
Snowpack
Observed west through north east slopes at and above treeline, 30-50+ degrees. Some wind effect visible. No natural avalanches seen in the area. Due south aspects are building a 2-5cm thick sun crust depending on how steeply they're pitched, steeper pitches had much poorer ski quality. Anything slightly off due south (SSE, SSW) was still holding cold snow.
Avalanche
Natural slab avalanche on the knees of Sleeping Giant on ENE aspect @ 8500ft. Slope angle estimated 35-45 degrees. Did not go to ground, crown line was ~2-3ft deep, ~100ft wide and vertical drop ~300ft. Unsure of date of slide as the perimeter was not very crisp but would estimate 2/15-2/16 due to some precip and favorable wind direction on those days. Failure layer unknown.