Front Range

Snowpack

Though above average HS, we found a snowpack structure matching the norm of this season: 2ft of large soft (4F to F) weak DH at the base, 3.5ft thick hard (P to 1F) mid snowpack interrupted by small layers of soft (4F to 1F small facets), and 1.5ft of soft (F to 4F) recent storm and windslab. Test results revealed CT16 Q1/sc 114cm down on the large basal DH layer and PST 50/100end on that same layer; CT12 Q1/sp 40cm down old now-new snow (4F storm slab) interface and ECTN17rp. Interpretation: Persistent slab near the base generally requires a larger trigger (hucking a cliff, a big wipeout, a snowmobile, traveling through a spot where the snowpack is shallow). The recent windslab is a somewhat sensitive to fracturing but hesitant to propagate. Windloaded slopes 35dgr+ around and above TL are the most likely terrain features to be reactive; areas where the snowpack is more shallow (margins of the windslab, rock/cliff studded slopes, undulating terrain) on slopes 35dgr+ is most suspect to trigger the deep persistent slab. Location at base of NE cliffs on Berthoud Pass W side. The snowprofile site is adjacent within 100ft to onlooker's left of a R2D1 SS that we witnessed being triggered by a group of 4 skiers/riders the day before while practicing rescue skills. Skier #1 entered a steepening chute from the top of a small cliff which is half way down the face and below the obvious wind loaded convex roll when he triggered the SS; no one was caught but the event was duly celebrated with lour cajoling.