Sawatch
SnowpackDrew Gibson · Nov 26, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
Cold, mostly clear. Light NW wind at ridge top.
Snowpack
A shallow and weak snowpack with 8 to 10 inches of new snow on top of it. The average height of snow was 50cm (~19.5in) In many places near treeline NE and E aspects there was a decomposing melt-freeze crust buried under the new snow. A thin layer of 1mm facets was rest on top of the crust. This layer was producing rumbling collapses throughout the day. During a quick pit at the site of a rumbling collapse, the same layer would fail while trying to isolate a column. On due N aspects, the crust was not present and the facets would not produce collapses. I observed many avalanches throughout the day on adjacent slopes. Though I observed many collapses, I did not trigger any avalanches, as I gave suspect slopes plenty of room. I observed that many test slopes were triggered and collapsed partway down the slope, meaning it would be easy to get caught too far down a slope when the failure would occur. There is still very little snow below treeline. All avalanches are coded here: https://avalanche.state.co.us/observations/field-report/6b9802ad-781a-43ce-aa78-f202d9c03007 https://avalanche.state.co.us/observations/field-report/0ac14b35-897d-42bd-bb48-2eb66a6acd87 https://avalanche.state.co.us/observations/field-report/9fb43052-fe1e-424d-8bbf-bd8ec1b7edce https://avalanche.state.co.us/observations/field-report/8019f732-3223-4383-9bb1-44dd7ca73e6e