Grand Mesa

Avalanche

Jaime Odin · Jan 5, 2023 · Grand Mesa

Weather

partial cloud cover, no wind

Snowpack

ski penetration - 30-40cm (ski boot to mid-calf deep in a ski), boot penetration - 90-100cm (waist deep in a ski boot). Quick hand pit at 9600 ft on a northeast aspect revealed 120cm (the entire ski pole) of weak snow. Hand hardness = top 30cm - F, 10cm layer of 4F (from when it warmed at the end of the storm on saturday), and around 80cm of F/4F snow beneath it. Hand shearing did not form a slab due to how weak the new snow is. No signs of instability were present throughout the ski tour despite the obvious weak snow setup. No cracking, collapsing, whoomphs, fractures were heard or seen, even with jump tests and ski cutting at the top of the ridge. Skiing was light and fluffy and sprayed nicely (face shot!)

Avalanche

none