Steamboat & Flat Tops
SnowpackPaul Rogers · Jan 3, 2013 · Front Range
Weather
Toured Jan 2 & 3rd in area. Temps cold on both days with daytime low of -5F and high of 15F. Light NW Winds on Ridgelines, Jan 2nd overcast but as system moved out of the area we saw clear skies on Jan 3rd. No transport observed.
Snowpack
Toured S-N aspects 9500 - 11,500. Average HS of 140 cm, increasing to as high as 180 at higher elevations. Snow surface was faceted and with clear skies and cold nights/warmer days, predict that to continue - note for future when this is buried. Snowpack generally described as 2 feet of soft/fist fluff on top, resting on supportable midpack 4F to 1F, 50-65cm thick (supportable to skier but not foot pen). Observed on North aspect below TL, this midpack slab resting on thin layer of 1-2mm facets which was not reactive to tests. Observed a lower snowpack on same aspect/elevation, comprised of size 2-3mm depth hoar up to 30 cm deep and tests produced failures on this depth hoar, hard in ECT, Q3 and believe this failure potential is decreasing. On Westerly aspect below TL, observed facet crust layer 10-15 cm above ground. Crust not as hard or prominent as we've seen in front range and did not produce results from field or pit tests. Only recent wind effect observed was a ridgetops with loading on NW-E at highest elevations and have feeling that high alpine start zones on those aspects are risky above 35 degrees. No collapsing, or whomping, and saw no recent signs of avalanche activity in this area. Excellent powder skiing!