Steamboat & Flat Tops

Avalanche

Brian Gardel · Jan 1, 2021 · Steamboat & Flat Tops

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Weather

Mostly cloudy, calm, with temp ranging 15F at 9am at the Dry Lake trailhead to low 20's at mid-day around 9500'

Snowpack

Generally less than 1m of depth, with approx. 35cm of new snow from the past 2 storm cycles, and a mid-pack capable of supporting the weight of a skier. The lower-pack is weak and faceted. Multiple persistent weak layers are present, including buried surface hoar and facets.

Avalanche

Noted multiple large collapses and were told of recent avalanche activity on N/NE facing slopes in Bitch creek. Our group remotely triggered a 2' slab (approx. 100' x 300') from the flats above the slope that broke at the basal facet interface and ran to valley bottom.