Front Range
SnowpackPaul Rogers · Jan 12, 2011 · Front Range
Weather
Light Winds 10-15 MPH westerly, although below Trelease terrain feature caused local winds to be from S - decreasing in afternoon. 20-25 temps. partly cloudy. Impact: Winds were cold and keeping surface snow temps cool.
Snowpack
Test Profile at 11,600 on SE Aspect below Trelease, 35 degrees, HS 180. Results Summary: CT and STT produced Easy failure (one on cutting), Q1 shear, 20cm down, 4 finger + wind slab running on <1mm facets - below was pencil wind slab. DTT produced hard failure, 85 cm down, Q3 shear, running on 1cm layer of .5 facets. Note: The upper snowpack failure layer is not the most recent wind slab. In area we tested the most recent was 10-15 down yet this was previous wind slab ranging from 20-30 cm down. In areas with significant wind-loading, we noted this layer was in range of 50-60 cm down. Other: Observed beginning signs of rounding lower portions of snowpack. Field slope tests: Produced easy Q1 shears on same layer 20-30cm down. Also mild propagation of 5-10 feet. Summary: Primary concern: In areas where significant recent wind loading on N-SE Aspects the recent slab is very reactive and running on near surface facets in region traveled and advise extreme caution on those aspects above 35 degrees where significant wind loading. Mid pack is comprised of a few pencil slab with the 1cm layer of facets within. Lower pack observed depth hoar with some early signs of rounding believe it or not. Deeper instabilities exist and could be triggered but shear quality poor and situation regarding deeper slab instability in my opinion is improving and possible bridging situation existing in areas where snowpack is deeper...but if you get this thing to go it's going to be an ugly hard thick slab that comes down on top of you.