Steamboat & Flat Tops
AvalancheDan Edmiston · Dec 26, 2020 · Steamboat & Flat Tops
Weather
Light to moderate gusting west winds ushered in the next storm. Clear skies til mid morning that gave way to broken/overcast skies by mid afternoon. Exited the field with a few flurries of snow. Localized blowing snow with a few snow devils. Ridgetop winds certainly encouraged shelter.
Snowpack
Snow surface in protected areas was showing 5mm surface hoar. Frequent whoomphing with shooting cracks 10-20m radius in the 9500-10500ft range on east and south east aspects. 12/22 storm dropped about 10-15cms of snow but it was locally scoured and deposited so ski quality was mixed. Older snow is starting to slab up (4 finger) and is sitting on top of classically unstable snow (facets, crusts). Got ECTP25, down 40cms in the crust/facet sandwich. Basal facets were rounding and becoming cohesive but facets immediately above were becoming larger and more well formed.
Avalanche
None seen, none triggered