Front Range
SnowpackIan Fowler · Apr 11, 2022 · Front Range
Weather
The day started off cloudy and as the skies cleared the winds began to pickup but were still mellow for Berthoud Pass. By 3pm the it was again overcast winds were increasing more and it was overcast.
Snowpack
Near treeline on a north-northeast aspect, I dug in 140cm of snow. I found a generally strong upper and midpack down to about 60cm and a weak base to the ground below. I got easy and moderate sudden collapsing compression test results and propagation twice in extended column tests. Digging in this area highlighted the hazard of finding a shallow area of the snowpack and the low likelihood high consequence nature of the avalanche you could trigger. The snow was very much winter, not spring snowpack. Southerly slopes were getting relatively shallow, 50cm, but strong after being cooked by the sun and warm temperatures. There were multiple ice layers and no results in snowpack tests.