Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheJason Konigsberg · Feb 19, 2024 · Steamboat & Flat Tops
Weather
Mostly clear and warm. Slight breeze near 10k feet.
Snowpack
45 to 60 cm of recent snow sits over the weak layers mentioned in the summary. The new snow is fist hard progressing to four-finger hard over the weak layers. Below our weak layers of concern is a stout slab up to pencil hardness. The basal facets are relatively strong with the softest portion at one-finger-minus in hardness. I did not test the basal facets in stability tests.
Avalanche
Two avalanches were observed that were newer than the late January avalanches reported in this area but still approximately 7 to 10 days old. These avalanches seemed to break at the top of the basal facets. I am listing the date as February 8. But I have a high degree of uncertainty as to when these ran. The crown was about two to three feet thick and mostly filled in.