Steamboat & Flat Tops
SnowpackJoe Messina ยท Jan 2, 2016
Weather
Clear and cold with light winds. Much colder at the highway than up on the peak. HS varied with wind affect... about 100 cm to 130 cm.
Snowpack
Snowpack in sheltered areas was consistent with recent below treeline observations in the Steamboat and Flat Tops zone... persistent weak layers at the bottom of the snowpack without a stiff slab above. Near the exposed ridgeline, however, a stiff slab did exist and was reactive in snowpack tests. Today's observation supports the idea that the Persistent Slab problem is present wherever the wind has created a cohesive slab. This can be up high in the alpine OR in exposed areas near or below treeline such as today's observation.