Front Range
SnowpackMarkus Beck · Dec 4, 2012 · Front Range
Weather
Clear increasing clouds in pm. Light W'ly winds with cool T. Nice day out.
Snowpack
Snowpack observations from 3-4 adjacent test pits at 11,700ft ATL on NE slope (wind drift) with 26-37dgr incline: • Very variable Hs between non-existent to several feet in isolated wind loaded areas ATL predominantly on N through E (1-4ft measured on site). • Common themes are o large DH (3-5mm observed) where ever there is snow for about 80-90% of the entire depth around/above TL (BTL the entire Spx is facets with the occasional, up to 1cm thick soft wind crust on top). o thin wind slab (1-6cm thick) overlaying those facets; reactive upon isolation with Q1 in various small column tests but propagation no greater than 4-5ft with ski track tests. • In the 4ft test pit, we observed top-down 6cm 1F wind slab, 1.0-1.5mm facets 4F, 1.5-2.0mm facets 1F, 2mm facets 4F/F, 2mm DH P, 3-5mm DH 4F/1F on the ground. Stability tests produced repeated results: o CT-VE Q1 (upon isolation) for the top windslab o CT-E/M Q1 failing at interface 4F/F and P o ECT-N21 and PST (45/100, end, down 85cm on P 2mm DH) My personal assessment is such that I feel it will take 2ft of snow load to get things touchy and then, the most suspect slopes are those with currently existing snow cover and little/no ground support on 35+dgr at/above TL.