BC Zone Observation Report
Monday, March 6, 2023 at 12:00 AM
Front Range
Details
Date:
2023/03/06
Observer:
Ian Fowler
Organization:
Forecaster, CAIC
Location
BC Zone:
Front Range
Area Description:
I traveled from the St. Marys Lake trailhead below treeline up to an open easterly facing slope near treeline above the St Marys Lake.
Weather
Ridgeline Wind Speed:
Calm
Wind Loading:
Previous
Weather Description:
The weather was unexpectedly nice. Winds were calm with occasional light gusts. Skies were sunny and warm. It was nice to write in my field book with ungloved hands.
Snowpack
Snowpack Description:
On easterly slopes near treeline. Snow depth varied from 140cm (5-feet) to well over 200cm (7- feet). Snow was generally bullet proof knife hard rounded grains that were hard to dig through. There were a couple of surprising weaker layers. The upper weak layer was about 20cm (10-inches) deep and was failing on isolation on Compression Tests. This layer also failed on moderate shoulder taps on Extended Column Tests. There were no facets at this interface so it will hopefully heal quickly. The deeper layer did not react on Extended Column test and is rounding facets.
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