Steamboat & Flat Tops

Avalanche

CMC AIARE Lvl 1 · Jan 29, 2022 · Steamboat & Flat Tops

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Weather

Bluebird and cold around Steamboat Lake zone, further north was in the teens overnight but increased to 41 at 2pm at Elk River Snotel just north of tour area. Snow surface on southerly aspects still remained dry despite the warm temps

Snowpack

Snow height on southerly aspects ~80-90cms @ 8900ft. A few minor ice crusts in the upper 20cms of snowpack Ran a number of CTs, some showing easy to moderate results on sun crust down 10-15cms (CTE x2, CTM x4). Also got several CTN as well as one ECTX. Hand hardness showed a supportive snowpack with each deeper layer being stronger. Basal facets were rounding, 1 finger hard, and didn't show any activity in any snowpack tests. Surface snow was showing the effects of the colds nights with near surface facets being prevalent.

Avalanche

A single loose dry sluff on very steep northeast creek bank.