Sawatch

Snowpack

Anonymous · Jan 31, 2022 · Sawatch

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Weather

Light, high clouds were present in the morning but cleared up in the afternoon with lenticulars forming over the S. Sawatch 14ers. Temp was not observed but felt to be in the high 20s. Winds were strong out of the NW and there was transport near and above tree line. Wind slabs were found on near tree line slopes facing SE.

Snowpack

The snow pack generally had a supportable slab NTL and ATL, but was softer below tree line. I observed multiple wind slabs on E and SE aspects NTL. 4 finger + hardness and broke on isolation in hand pits. Planar fracture with what looked like near surface facets on interface. Felt isolated collapsing but did not see cracks or observe any avalanches. Did not find a wind slab above tree line along our travel route on clover. Including in the NE couloir.