Steamboat & Flat Tops

We observed several small Storm Slab Avalanches below corniced features. These were likely triggered by small chunks falling off the cornice. They did not break deeper or wider and only entrained the new storm snow. We also observed several Loose Dry Avalanches below the steep cliffs around Blair Mountain. There was a slightly larger snowcat-triggered avalanche on a steep roadcut at a lower elevation, where the new snow was more cohesive.

Obscured skies for most of the day with intermittent snow showers. Rain kicked in below 9,000' as we left around 4:30 PM.

Snow pit on a north-facing slope at 10,500 feet in a wind-sheltered area: We found a foot of new snow (30 centimeters) on weak layers of facets below. This new slab was still super soft and not reactive in stability tests. Once it settles and gains strength, it could be a bigger problem on steeper slopes. The Christmas crust was still well intact in the lower portion of the snowpack and could be an ideal bedsurface for avalanches breaking deeper. Higher up on a steep northeast-facing slope near Blair Mountain, we found a super-stout crust beneath the new snow. These slopes will be able to handle more snow load before failing, but we did get propagating fractures below the crust in ECTs.