Front Range

Snowpack

Thomas White · Jan 5, 2022 · Front Range

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Weather

Snow was falling from noon to sunset. The rate was difficult to estimate due to the intensity of blowing snow. At regular intervals the visibility was zero (couldn't see my hands).

Snowpack

The HS in the area measured at several location by pole posing was 100-120 cm. My pit location was chosen for a bit of wind protection and snow was a bit deeper 150 cm. There is still a very weak persistent layer at the base and a weak melt-freeze crust from early season a bit above that. The mudpack in the pit was a 67 cm thick 1f. CT tests failed at the top of the 1f mudpack and the new snow interface. The ski penetration in the fresh snow was only 20 cm, the top 25 cm seems to be gaining strength and starting to behave like a slab.