Anyone been out to berthoud pass since the last storm (1/10-1/11)? All the info I'm getting from CAIC is that things are sketchy, and will continue to be so. Anyone care to share any first hand accounts of what it's currently like up there?
January 14, 2012 - 2:06am
January 17, 2012 - 1:57am
#2
We too experienced several collapses over the weekend (east, NE, and north aspects).
Larger slides that propagate long distances seem limited to areas where the wind slab is relatively thick (lots of mass) and covers a larger area (high alpine, near treeline areas??). Wind slabs that had less mass didn't seem as energetic as more "husky" wind slabs (could initiate fracture but didn't observe as much propagation).
What did you find over the weekend, coslacker??
January 17, 2012 - 9:35am
#3
Got out today in the Berthoud Pass area and got some great turns in! Snowed most of the morning then lightened up in the afternoon, probably 3 or 4 inches. Sun came out a few times but never hung around long. Wind wasn't too bad most of the day, few gusts at/above tree line. One shooting crack seen below tree line, on Northeast aspect, of about 28 degrees. Overall a great day in the mountains, hopefully the season is coming around! Peace
January 18, 2012 - 4:02am
#4
January 18, 2012 - 4:53am
#5
thanks for the info guys. we headed out from the current creek lot, and hit up some very mellow low angle south aspects. things appeared to be just as they have been described elsewhere. about 3-6 inches of newish snow on top of a brittle crust with sugar underneath. however, the sun was out and the weather was awesome, so we had a good time anyway.
I'll be very interested to see how this latest storm will affect conditions. how do you think the snow pack will hold up?
February 2, 2012 - 8:56pm
#6
Has anyone been out to Berthoud lately? I keep reading about the naturally triggered slides over the past week or two and curious what conditions are like. Thinking about maybe trying some mellow lines on Friday with the new snow coming in or playing it safe and waiting a few days.
Short anwser is yes, things are very sketch on certain aspects. Lots of 'whumphing' and cracking on east through southern aspects. Yet on more north-easterly facing stuff the collapsing wasnt as bad and we only had to deal with fractures in the new wind slabs which were begining to develope. Still sketchy, we defintly set of two small 10'x8'x10"slabs but some what more managable? Be careful out there. Defintly stay off the steeps and whatch your run out zones!
While tip-toeing around we did find some decent snow. Enjoy
Live fast, Breath slow