Steamboat & Flat Tops
SnowpackDan Edmiston · Jan 27, 2018 · Steamboat & Flat Tops
Weather
high clouds moving in during tour, single digit temps at trail head. Light winds out of the west, no snow transport seen
Snowpack
surface was pretty wind hammered in spots, some localized surface cracks, no whumphing or collapsing was heard. New snow may have been 6-8 inches but localized wind transport made for some variation in coverage above the older sun crust. Sporty skiing in spots due to the sun crusts and wind buffed new snow. Found very isolated pockets of buried surface hoar on easterly aspects, but only in spots that were sun and wind protected. Did not observe any northerly aspects so its possible that the buried surface hoar exists there. Would be good to get some more info on those aspects. Summit pitches on Baker Peak were wind loaded. Did not see any avalanches in the terrain.