Steamboat & Flat Tops

Snowpack

Dan Edmiston · Dec 4, 2017 · Steamboat & Flat Tops

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Weather

Winter...finally. The forecast proved correct. Moderate West and NW winds with frequent strong gusts. Snow surface scoured to old snow in places and drifts up to about 10 inches in other areas. Creek banks had lots of wind loading.

Snowpack

Shooting cracks in areas up to about 5ft radius. Was in small terrain though. Old snow is fairly firm in areas that have seen sun and warm temps. Shaded areas have a thin temperature crust. New snow is a little bit reactive in protected areas but much more reactive in drifted areas. Column test failed CTM10 Q3/BRK on the old October interface that is now just basically depth hoar after so many cold nights on shallow snow. Test pit was in an isolated area with about 95cms of snow. Q3/BRK was down about 75cms.