Front Range
Quick reportRyan Zarter · Jan 3, 2026 · Front Range
Weather
Skies were FEW. Winds were light out of the WNW, getting a bit stronger as the day progressed. Hst on the BP study plot stake was 2"/0.3, and Hs was 22." Light wind transport at ridgetop.
Snowpack
Digging on an east-facing slope near the upper end of the near-treeline elevation band, I found that the few inches of snow that fell from Thursday to Friday sit on top of a stout melt-freeze crust formed around Christmas. A layer of facets has formed immediately below this crust. Below this, I found faceted or faceting snow to the ground. Hs where I dug was about 50cm. Moderate ECTN results on the facets immediately below the melt-freeze crust. There is quite a bit of variability in snow coverage near and above treeline--the lasting effect of strong winds in December. I observed no signs of instability in my travels.