Sawatch

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Feb 11, 2015 · Sawatch

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Weather

Felt very humid, even though temp was 19F. Jacket damp and glasses fogging. Wind was still blowing, but appeared to have been much stronger, big whales drifted behind trees - even below treeline. SWE 0.7" in 6.5" sample at study plot.

Snowpack

Traveling up road, several indicator bank were blown clean. Very small wind drifts in sheltered slopes displayed how strong previous winds were. New snow was high density (10-11%) and sheltered trees appeared rimed. Skinning was easy with 10-15cm ski penetration on a firm base (this is also a high backcountry traffic zone). Snowpack depth varied from 90cm ntl on east slopes, to 150cm ntl on sheltered west slopes. Easy and Mod CT results on West slope near treeline at 15cm and 45cm down respectively.