Sawatch
SnowpackDrew Gibson · Dec 23, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
Mostly cloudy with passing periods of sun. Light snow flurries at times. Mostly calm at ridgecrest above treeline.
Snowpack
Mid-snowpack slabs on northeast-facing slopes near treeline have lost some of their strength during the last week but we were able to get propagating results in some column tests. Other test pits on the same northeast-facing slopes yielded no propagating results in a snowpack structure that was mostly soft and faceted. The average height of snow was around 90cm (35.5 inches). Both snow pits attached below are examples of how variable the near treeline elevation band can be. They were both dug on the same aspect and elevation. Both areas were below ridge top and had some tree cover. Terrain above treeline had obvious wind drifts near ridge top and in cross-loaded gullies. North and northeast-facing slopes above treeline had supportive wind-affected snow resting over a mostly faceted snowpack in places. Other places were soft and unsupportive. Southeast-facing slopes near treeline had a 5cm-8cm (2-3 inch) thick sun crust on the surface that formed during the last week of warm temperatures. No persistent slab was observed under the crust. The little new snow that had fallen overnight and during the day was warming during periods of sun, but no sluffing was observed. The new snow was bonding well to the old crust. Average snow depth was 30cm-50cm (12-50 inches).