Front Range
SnowpackAndy Nelson · Jan 2, 2017 · Front Range
Weather
While skinning up the trail, sky was overcast with moderate wind, no precipitation. Many broken branches and a new downed tree perhaps from recent wind events. New snow began to fall at approximately 10:00am, and winds picked up speed. Upon leaving area, much new snow had fallen and stronger winds entered the area.
Snowpack
Test pit dug on NE aspect, 11,200ft, 28 degree angle. Total snow depth at location was 85cm, with other areas probed at 95-100cm. Compression tests indicated a CTE 6 at 20cm and CTM 11 at 60cm down, both with relatively sudden, planar fracturing. However, during extended column tests, no fractures propagated across the column. From the ground, a 40cm layer of larger, (>1mm) fist depth hoar and facets is holding up the remaining layers of that range from 1-finger to fist snow.