Front Range
SnowpackAmanda Loughlin · Mar 2, 2024 · Front Range
Weather
Temps in the 20s, few clouds, strong southwest winds and snow transport.
Snowpack
I found melt freeze crusts between 1-5cms on southeast aspects below and near treeline, and wind effect ranging from a thin wind skin to wind slabs 14cm thick. I experienced localized cracking on melt freeze crusts and wind slabs and no collapsing. Height of snow (HS) near treeline on southeast aspects ranged from 70-280cm with evidence of wind loading. The first snow pit dug on southeast aspect at 11,800 ft revealed a F hard facet layer between 72- 64cm that was reactive to Extended Column Tests (ECTs). 2 ECTs produced scores of ECTP11 and ECTP16 both at this layer. This snow pit also revealed a 3cm melt freeze crust over 32cm of 3mm depth hoar that was not reactive to ECTs. The second pit also dug on a southeast aspect at 11,870 ft, revealed a P-P+ wind slab over facets, rounds, more facets, melt forms, and basal facets. This structure was not reactive to ECTs with results of ECTX twice. However, a Propagation Saw Test (PST) did show propagation propensity on F+ facet layer with a result of PST 50/100 (End) @ 75cm.